UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF
REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number: 811-22144
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials
Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ |
|
85258 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
|
(Zip code) |
The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange
Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-800-992-0180
Date of fiscal year end: February 28
Date of reporting period: February 29, 2024
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
(a) | The following is a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders
pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30e-1): |
Annual
Report
February
29, 2024
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund
As
permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper
copies of the fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports, like this semi-annual
report, are not sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports.
Instead, the reports will be made available on the Voya funds’ website (www.voyainvestments.com/literature),
and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website
link to access the report.
If
you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder
reports and other communications from a fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer
or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-992-0180 or by sending an e-mail request to Voyaim_literature@voya.com.
You
may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you received this document in the mail, please follow the
instructions to elect to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you received this document through a
financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your
shareholder reports. If you invest directly with us, you can call 1-800-992-0180 or send an email request to Voyaim_literature@voya.com
to let a fund know you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in
paper will apply to all funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary or all funds held with the
Voya funds complex if you invest directly with the funds. |
This
report is submitted for general information to shareholders of the Voya mutual funds.
It is not authorized for distribution to prospective shareholders unless accompanied
or preceded by a prospectus which includes details regarding the fund’s investment
objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other information. This information should be
read carefully. |
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INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT |
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|
voyainvestments.com |
Managed
Distribution Policy
The
Fund was granted exemptive relief by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Order”), which under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), permits the Fund to include realized long-term capital gains as
a part of its regular distributions to Common Shareholders more frequently than once per taxable year (“Managed Distribution
Policy”). Pursuant to the Order, the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) approved the Managed Distribution
Policy and the Fund adopted the policy which allows the Fund to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains.
Under
the Managed Distribution Policy, the Fund makes quarterly* distributions of an amount equal to $0.229 per share. You should not
draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the
Fund’s Plan.
The
Managed Distribution Policy will be subject to periodic review by the Fund’s Board and the Board may amend or terminate
the Managed Distribution Policy at any time without prior notice to the Fund’s shareholders; any such change or termination
may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund’s shares.
The
Fund may distribute more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution
may include a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in
the 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.’ With each distribution, the Fund will issue a notice
to shareholders and a press release containing information about the amounts and sources of distribution and other related information.
The amounts and sources of the distributions contained in a notice and press release are only estimates and are not provided for
tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s
investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund
will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax
purposes.
*
Effective April 1, 2024, under the managed distribution policy the Fund will make monthly distributions.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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PROXY
VOTING INFORMATION
A
description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio securities
is available: (1) without charge, upon request, by calling Shareholder Services toll-free at (800) 992-0180; (2) on the Fund’s
website at www.voyainvestments.com; and (3) on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC’s”)
website at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to portfolio securities during the most recent
12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge on the Fund’s website at www.voyainvestments.com and on the SEC’s
website at www.sec.gov.
QUARTERLY
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The
Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form
NPORT-P. The Fund’s Forms NPORT-P are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s complete schedule
of portfolio holdings is available at: www.voyainvestments.com and without charge upon request from the Fund by calling Shareholder
Services toll-free at (800) 992-0180.
Benchmark
Descriptions
Index |
Description |
MSCI
All Country World IndexSM |
A free
float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance
in the global developed and emerging markets. |
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials |
Principal
Investment Strategies and |
And
Materials Fund |
Portfolio
Managers’ Commentary |
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified closed-end fund that seeks total return
through a combination of current income, capital gains and capital appreciation.
The
Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in companies that own and/or operate infrastructure facilities in the infrastructure
sector, and in a broad range of companies, principally in the industrials and materials sectors, that the Sub-Adviser believes will benefit
from the building, renovation, expansion and utilization of infrastructure.
Portfolio
Management*: The Fund is managed by Vincent Costa, CFA, Steve Wetter, Susanna Jacob, and Justin Montminy, CFA, Portfolio
Managers, Voya Investment Management Co. LLC — the Sub-Adviser.
Equity
Portfolio Construction: Under normal market conditions, the Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing
at least 80% of its managed assets in the equity securities of, or derivatives having economic characteristics similar to the
equity securities of, issuers in three broad market sectors — infrastructure, industrials and materials.
The
Sub-Adviser seeks to construct a diversified portfolio of equity securities, with a focus on companies that will potentially benefit
from increased government and private infrastructure spending, particularly in the areas of power, construction, materials, food and
water, communications and transportation.
|
Geographic Diversification as of February 29, 2024 (as a percentage of net assets) |
|
|
United States |
45.8% |
|
|
Japan |
9.2% |
|
|
Germany |
5.1% |
|
|
Canada |
4.5% |
|
|
France |
3.9% |
|
|
United Kingdom |
3.7% |
|
|
Australia |
3.6% |
|
|
China |
3.0% |
|
|
Sweden |
2.8% |
|
|
Switzerland |
2.6% |
|
|
Countries between 0.0% - 2.3%^ |
14.7% |
|
|
Assets in Excess of Other Liabilities* |
1.1% |
|
|
Net Assets |
100.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
Includes short-term investments and
exchange-traded funds. |
|
|
^ |
Includes 23 countries, which each
0.0% - 2.3% of net assets. |
|
|
|
Portfolio holdings are subject
to change daily. |
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|
|
|
|
The
Sub-Adviser has constructed a portfolio that is a broad universe of global companies that operate in sectors and sub-sectors related
to these investment themes. The Sub-Adviser will seek to identify, through an active quantitative investment strategy, companies
that are most attractive within its regions or sector, as applicable, using proprietary fundamental sector specific models. The
Sub-Adviser uses optimization techniques to seek to achieve the overall portfolio investment objectives.
|
|
Top Ten Holdings
as of February 29, 2024
(as a percentage of net assets) |
|
|
Cisco Systems, Inc. |
2.0% |
|
|
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF |
1.6% |
|
|
Siemens AG |
1.4% |
|
|
Linde PLC US |
1.2% |
|
|
Sherwin-Williams Co. |
1.2% |
|
|
AT&T, Inc. |
1.0% |
|
|
AMETEK, Inc. |
1.0% |
|
|
Parker-Hannifin Corp. |
1.0% |
|
|
Keyence Corp. |
1.0% |
|
|
Volvo AB - Class B |
1.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio holdings are subject to change daily. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
In
evaluating investments for the Fund, the Sub-Adviser normally expects to take into account environmental, social, and governance
(“ESG”) factors, to determine whether any or all of those factors might have a material effect on the value,
risks, or prospects of a company. The Sub-Adviser intends to rely primarily on factors identified through its proprietary
empirical research as material to a particular company or the industry in which it operates and on third-party evaluations of
a company’s ESG standing. The Sub-Adviser may give environmental, social, and governance factors equal consideration or
may focus on one or more of those factors as the Sub-Adviser considers appropriate. The Sub-Adviser may consider specific ESG
metrics or a company’s progress or lack of progress toward meeting ESG targets. ESG factors will be only one
consideration in the Sub-Adviser’s evaluation of any potential investment, and the effect, if any, of ESG factors on
the Sub-Adviser’s decision whether to invest in any case will vary depending on the judgment of the Sub-
Adviser.
Option
Strategy: Under normal market conditions, the Fund will also seek to secure gains and enhance the stability of returns
over a market cycle by writing (selling) call options on selected indices and/or exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”).
The
underlying value against which such calls will be written may vary depending on the cash flow requirements of the portfolio and
on the Sub-Adviser’s assessment of market conditions, generally within a range of 15% to 50% of the value of the Fund’s
portfolio.
The
Fund expects to write (sell) call options primarily with shorter maturities (typically ten days to three months until expiration)
generally, “at-the-money,” “out-of-the-money” or “near-the-money,” in exchange-listed option
markets or over-thecounter markets with major international banks, broker-dealers and financial institutions. The Fund may write
(sell) call options on either the value of subsets of equity securities in its portfolio or selected equity securities held in
its portfolio.
Principal Investment
Strategies and |
Voya Infrastructure,
Industrials |
Portfolio Managers’ Commentary |
And Materials
Fund |
Performance:
Based on net asset value (“NAV”), the Fund provided a total return of 14.30% for the year ended February 29,
2024.(1) This NAV return reflects an increase in the Fund’s NAV from $11.26 on February 28, 2023 to $11.72 on
February 29, 2024, after taking into account quarterly distributions. Based on its share price, the Fund provided a total return
of 13.42% for the year ended February 29, 2024.(1) This share price return reflects an increase in the Fund’s
share price from $9.72 on February 28, 2023 to $10.04 on February 29, 2024, after taking into account quarterly distributions.
The Fund is not benchmarked to an index but uses the MSCI All Country World IndexSM (“MSCI ACWI IndexSM”)
as a reference index, which returned 23.15% for the reporting period. During the year, the Fund made quarterly distributions totaling
$0.92 per share which were characterized as $0.22 per share from net realized gains, $0.47 per share from return of capital and
$0.23 per share from net investment income.(2) As of February 29, 2024, the Fund had 15,156,320 shares outstanding.
Portfolio
Specifics: Equity Portfolio(3): This is an actively managed, quantitative equity strategy focused on harnessing
infrastructure-related themes including materials, transportation, food and water, power, construction and communications.
For
the reporting period, the Equity Portfolio outperformed its custom reference index. Stock selection was strongest in the Asia
Pacific ex Japan region and weakest in Japan.
At
the sector level, favorable stock selection within the industrials, materials and communication services sectors contributed the
most value. Stock selection in the information technology sector detracted the most value. At the individual stock level key contributors
were overweight positions in Vistra Corp., Parker-Hannifin Corp. and Nitto Denko Corp. Key detractors for the period included
underweight positions in Uber Technologies Inc. and Mitsubishi Corp. and the overweight position in FMC Corp.
Option
Portfolio: The Fund's covered call strategy seeks to generate premiums and retain some potential for upside appreciation.
This strategy detracted from returns during the period as the positive performance of the equity markets resulted in losses on
the short call options. The Fund implemented this strategy by typically writing call options on sector and regional exchange-traded
funds ("ETFs"), the selection and allocation of which result from an optimization intended to track closely the reference
index of the portfolio. The strike prices of the options written were typically at or near the money, with expiration dates around
one month at inception.
Current
Strategy and Outlook: After a strong year for the U.S. economy and capital markets, many investors entered 2024 with an
upbeat outlook. We are generally optimistic about the year ahead but in opinion, we see a few factors that could limit the upside
potential for stocks.
We
believe the progress on inflation and the resilience of American consumers and corporations is encouraging, and U.S. companies,
in our view, appear to be on sound financial footing. We expect disinflation to continue, as core personal consumption expenditures
("PCE") inflation has trended sharply lower, and supply chain issues have eased considerably. However, we also foresee
weaker wage growth and consumer spending as the lagging impact of tighter monetary policy filters into the U.S. labor market.
Despite our slowing growth outlook and expectation of modestly higher unemployment, we are not forecasting a significant deterioration
in the jobs market.
In
our view, obstacles to the upside potential in U.S. equities this year include slower economic growth, expensive valuations and
optimistic forecasts of rate cuts. Even with these challenges, we believe that current macroeconomic conditions present opportunities
for investors to benefit from divergences in global policy and business cycles.
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials |
Principal
Investment Strategies and |
And Materials Fund |
Portfolio Managers’
Commentary |
* | Effective
March 1, 2024, Peg DiOrio was removed as one of the portfolio managers to the Fund. In
addition, effective December 31, 2023, Paul Zemsky retired from Voya Investment Management
Co. LLC and is no longer one of the portfolio managers to the Fund. Lastly, effective
September 30, 2023, Susanna Jacob was added as a portfolio manager to the Fund. |
(1) | Total
returns shown include, if applicable, the effect of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements
by the investment adviser. Had all fees and expenses been considered, the total returns
would have been lower. |
(2) | The
final tax composition of dividends and distributions will not be determined until after
the Fund’s tax year-end. |
(3) | For
the practical management of the equity portfolio, we have identified the universe of
companies whose businesses, we believe, fall within the six themes underlying the investment
philosophy of the Fund: communications, construction, food and water, materials, power
and transportation. Aside from indicating the primary opportunity set from which we select
securities, the performance of this universe provides an internal reference benchmark
against which the actual performance of the Fund’s equity portfolio can be compared.
The custom benchmark consists of selected Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”)
sectors, industry groups, industries and sub-industries of the MSCI ACWI IndexSM.
As of February 29, 2024, the benchmark was comprised of the following GICS sectors: Communication
Services, Energy, Industrials, Information Technology, Materials & Utilities and
sub-industries: Oil & Gas Drilling, Oil & Gas Equipment & Services, Oil Gas
& Consumable Fuels, Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation of the Energy sector
and IT Services, Communications Equipment, and Electronic Equipment Instruments of the
Information Technology sector. |
The
views expressed in this commentary are informed opinions. They should not be considered promises or advice. The views expressed
reflect those of the portfolio managers, only through the end of the period as stated on the cover. The portfolio managers’
views are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions.
Portfolio
holdings and characteristics are subject to change and may not be representative of current holdings and characteristics. Fund
holdings are subject to change daily. The outlook for this Fund may differ from that presented for other Voya mutual funds. This
report contains statements that may be “forward-looking” statements. Actual results may differ materially from those
projected in the “forward-looking” statements. The Fund’s performance returns shown reflect applicable fee waivers
and/or expense limits in effect during this period. Absent such fee waivers/expense limitations, if any, performance would have
been lower. An index has no cash in its portfolio and imposes no sales charges. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.
Principal Investment Strategies
and |
Voya Infrastructure,
Industrials |
Portfolio Managers’ Commentary |
And Materials Fund |
Average
Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 29, 2024 |
|
1
Year |
5
Year |
10
Year |
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials
Fund at Market Value |
13.42% |
4.20% |
4.26% |
MSCI All
Country World IndexSM |
23.15% |
10.51% |
8.37% |
Based
on a $10,000 initial investment, the graph and table above illustrate the total return of Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and
Materials Fund against the reference index indicated. The reference index is unmanaged and has no cash in its portfolio and imposes
no sales charges. An investor cannot invest directly in a reference index.
The
performance shown includes, if applicable, the effect of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Investment Adviser and/or
other service providers, which have the effect of increasing total net return. Had all fees and expenses been considered, the
total net returns would have been lower.
Performance
data represents past performance and is no assurance of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment
in the Fund will fluctuate. Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Fund’s current performance
may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Please log on to www.voyainvestments.com or call (800) 992-0180 to get
performance through the most recent month end.
Fund
holdings are subject to change daily.
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund
Opinion
on the Financial Statements
We
have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (the
“Fund”), including the portfolio of investments, as of February 29, 2024, and the related statement of operations
for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial
highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial
statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of the Fund at February 29, 2024, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each
of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The
financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period ended February 28, 2019, were audited by another independent
registered public accounting firm whose report, dated April 26, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.
Basis
for Opinion
These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance
with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
PCAOB.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error
or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Fund’s internal control over
financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting
but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting.
Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our
audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to
error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence
regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as
of February 29, 2024, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers and others; when replies were not received from brokers and
others, we performed other auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We
have served as the auditor of one or more Voya investment companies since 2019.
Boston,
Massachusetts
April
26, 2024
STATEMENT
OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES as of February
29, 2024
ASSETS: |
|
| | |
Investments in securities at fair value* |
|
$ | 178,458,508 | |
Short-term investments at fair value† |
|
| 790,000 | |
Cash |
|
| 3,126 | |
Foreign currencies at value‡ |
|
| 24,635 | |
Receivables: |
|
| | |
Investment securities sold |
|
| 378,341 | |
Dividends |
|
| 382,442 | |
Interest |
|
| 75 | |
Foreign tax reclaims |
|
| 322,547 | |
Prepaid expenses |
|
| 1,302 | |
Reimbursement due from Investment Adviser |
|
| 102,159 | |
Other assets |
|
| 10,017 | |
Total assets |
|
| 180,473,152 | |
|
|
| | |
LIABILITIES: |
|
| | |
Payable for investment securities purchased |
|
| 1,351,400 | |
Payable for investment management fees |
|
| 150,221 | |
Payable to trustees under the deferred compensation
plan (Note 6) |
|
| 10,017 | |
Payable for trustee fees |
|
| 434 | |
Payable for foreign capital gains tax |
|
| 110,657 | |
Other accrued expenses and liabilities |
|
| 165,875 | |
Written options, at fair value^ |
|
| 1,069,389 | |
Total liabilities |
|
| 2,857,993 | |
NET ASSETS |
|
$ | 177,615,159 | |
|
|
| | |
NET ASSETS WERE COMPRISED OF: |
|
| | |
Paid-in capital |
|
$ | 150,943,817 | |
Total distributable earnings |
|
| 26,671,342 | |
NET ASSETS |
|
$ | 177,615,159 | |
|
|
| | |
* |
Cost of investments in securities |
|
$ | 151,462,055 | |
† |
Cost of short-term investments |
|
$ | 790,000 | |
‡ |
Cost of foreign currencies |
|
$ | 24,656 | |
^ |
Premiums received on written options |
|
$ | 954,456 | |
|
|
| | |
Net assets |
|
$ | 177,615,159 | |
Shares authorized |
|
| unlimited | |
Par value |
|
$ | 0.010 | |
Shares outstanding |
|
| 15,156,320 | |
Net asset value |
|
$ | 11.72 | |
See
Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS for the year ended February 29, 2024
INVESTMENT INCOME: | |
| |
Dividends, net of foreign taxes withheld* | |
$ | 5,056,456 | |
Interest | |
| 2,421 | |
Other | |
| 1,070 | |
Total investment
income | |
| 5,059,947 | |
EXPENSES: | |
| | |
Investment management fees | |
| 1,908,699 | |
Transfer agent fees | |
| 27,089 | |
Shareholder reporting expense | |
| 58,080 | |
Professional fees | |
| 153,724 | |
Custody and accounting expense | |
| 76,103 | |
Trustee fees | |
| 4,340 | |
Miscellaneous expense | |
| 40,675 | |
Total expenses | |
| 2,268,710 | |
Waived and
reimbursed fees | |
| (147,399 | ) |
Net expenses | |
| 2,121,311 | |
Net investment income | |
| 2,938,636 | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS): | |
| | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | |
| | |
Investments
(net of foreign capital gains taxes withheld^) | |
| 7,624,034 | |
Foreign currency related transactions | |
| (5,449 | ) |
Written options | |
| (774,985 | ) |
Net realized
gain | |
| 6,843,600 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on: | |
| | |
Investments
(net of foreign capital gains taxes accrued#) | |
| 11,661,002 | |
Foreign currency related transactions | |
| 668 | |
Written options | |
| (1,319,770 | ) |
Net change
in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | |
| 10,341,900 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain | |
| 17,185,500 | |
Increase in
net assets resulting from operations | |
$ | 20,124,136 | |
| |
| | |
* |
Foreign taxes withheld | |
$ | 362,659 | |
^ |
Foreign capital gains taxes withheld | |
$ | 105,530 | |
# |
Change in foreign capital gains taxes accrued | |
$ | 8,911 | |
See
Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
STATEMENTS
OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
| |
Year Ended | | |
Year Ended | |
| |
February
29, 2024 | | |
February
28, 2023 | |
FROM OPERATIONS: | |
| | | |
| | |
Net investment income | |
$ | 2,938,636 | | |
$ | 3,686,146 | |
Net realized gain (loss) | |
| 6,843,600 | | |
| (491,263 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | |
| 10,341,900 | | |
| (10,476,355 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
from operations | |
| 20,124,136 | | |
| (7,281,472 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | |
| | | |
| | |
Total distributions (excluding return of capital) | |
| (6,861,072 | ) | |
| (5,940,468 | ) |
Return of capital | |
| (7,182,218 | ) | |
| (8,871,120 | ) |
Total distributions | |
| (14,043,290 | ) | |
| (14,811,588 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | |
| | | |
| | |
Cost of shares repurchased | |
| (5,266,129 | ) | |
| (7,910,799 | ) |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital
share transactions | |
| (5,266,129 | ) | |
| (7,910,799 | ) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | |
| 814,717 | | |
| (30,003,859 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
NET ASSETS: | |
| | | |
| | |
Beginning of year or period | |
| 176,800,442 | | |
| 206,804,301 | |
End of year or period | |
$ | 177,615,159 | | |
$ | 176,800,442 | |
See
Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
Selected
data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year or period.
|
|
Per Share Operating
Performance |
|
Ratios and Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss)
from
investment
operations |
|
|
|
Less Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios
to average
net
assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year or period ended |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
(%) |
|
(%) |
|
($000's) |
|
(%) |
|
(%) |
|
(%) |
|
(%) |
|
02-29-24 |
|
11.26 |
|
0.19• |
|
1.19 |
|
1.38 |
|
0.23 |
|
0.22 |
|
0.47 |
|
0.92 |
|
— |
|
11.72 |
|
10.04 |
|
14.30 |
|
13.42 |
|
177,615 |
|
1.31 |
|
1.22 |
|
1.69 |
|
76 |
|
02-28-23 |
|
12.53 |
|
0.23• |
|
(0.58) |
|
(0.35) |
|
0.19 |
|
0.18 |
|
0.55 |
|
0.92 |
|
— |
|
11.26 |
|
9.72 |
|
(1.49) |
|
(3.58) |
|
176,800 |
|
1.25 |
|
1.22 |
|
2.00 |
|
72 |
|
02-28-22 |
|
12.28 |
|
0.20• |
|
0.94 |
|
1.14 |
|
0.20 |
|
0.41 |
|
0.31 |
|
0.92 |
|
0.03 |
|
12.53 |
|
11.05 |
|
9.79 |
|
1.10 |
|
206,804 |
|
1.32 |
|
1.30 |
|
1.54 |
|
64 |
|
02-28-21 |
|
11.60 |
|
0.18• |
|
1.42 |
|
1.60 |
|
0.15 |
|
— |
|
0.77 |
|
0.92 |
|
— |
|
12.28 |
|
11.76 |
|
16.49 |
|
28.50 |
|
227,471 |
|
1.23 |
|
1.22 |
|
1.57 |
|
58 |
|
02-29-20 |
|
13.74 |
|
0.23 |
|
(1.33) |
|
(1.10) |
|
0.25 |
|
0.15 |
|
0.64 |
|
1.04 |
|
— |
|
11.60 |
|
10.07 |
|
(7.93) |
|
(13.53) |
|
223,662 |
|
1.22 |
|
1.22 |
|
1.72 |
|
36 |
|
02-28-19 |
|
16.38 |
|
0.23• |
|
(1.05) |
|
(0.82) |
|
0.22 |
|
1.60 |
|
— |
|
1.82 |
|
— |
|
13.74 |
|
12.70 |
|
(4.19) |
|
(7.02) |
|
264,942 |
|
1.23 |
|
1.23 |
|
1.56 |
|
78 |
|
02-28-18 |
|
15.38 |
|
0.20 |
|
1.96 |
|
2.16 |
|
0.20 |
|
0.76 |
|
0.20 |
|
1.16 |
|
— |
|
16.38 |
|
15.60 |
|
14.55 |
|
20.89 |
|
315,765 |
|
1.21 |
|
1.21 |
|
1.21 |
|
23 |
|
02-28-17 |
|
13.59 |
|
0.20• |
|
2.98 |
|
3.18 |
|
0.21 |
|
0.13 |
|
1.05 |
|
1.39 |
|
— |
|
15.38 |
|
13.88 |
|
26.18 |
|
33.53 |
|
296,598 |
|
1.22 |
|
1.22 |
|
1.37 |
|
32 |
|
02-29-16 |
|
17.19 |
|
0.23 |
|
(2.29) |
|
(2.06) |
|
0.25 |
|
0.08 |
|
1.21 |
|
1.54 |
|
— |
|
13.59 |
|
11.59 |
|
(11.33) |
|
(17.36) |
|
269,214 |
|
1.21 |
|
1.21 |
|
1.52 |
|
53 |
|
02-28-15 |
|
19.33 |
|
0.26 |
|
(0.78) |
|
(0.52) |
|
0.46 |
|
1.16 |
|
— |
|
1.62 |
|
— |
|
17.19 |
|
15.73 |
|
(2.05) |
|
(0.37) |
|
340,410 |
|
1.19 |
|
1.19 |
|
1.43 |
|
62 |
|
(1) | Total
investment return at net asset value has been calculated assuming a purchase at net asset
value at the beginning of each period and a sale at net asset value at the end of each
period and assumes reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions and return of
capital distributions/allocations, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the dividend
reinvestment plan. Total investment return at net asset value is not annualized for periods
less than one year. |
(2) | Total
investment return at market value measures the change in the market value of your investment
assuming reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions and return of capital
distributions/allocations, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the Fund’s
dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return at market value is not annualized
for periods less than one year. |
(3) | Annualized
for periods less than one year. |
(4) | The
Investment Adviser has entered into a written expense limitation agreement with the Fund
under which it will limit the expenses of the Fund (excluding interest, taxes, investment-related
costs, leverage expenses, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses)
subject to possible recoupment by the Investment Adviser within three years of being
incurred. |
• | Calculated
using average number of shares outstanding throughout the year or period. |
See
Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2024
NOTE
1 — ORGANIZATION
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund is organized as a Delaware
statutory trust.
Voya
Investments, LLC (“Voya Investments” or the “Investment Adviser”), an Arizona limited liability company,
serves as the Investment Adviser to the Fund. The Investment Adviser has engaged Voya Investment Management Co. LLC (“Voya
IM” or the “Sub-Adviser”), a Delaware limited liability company, to serve as the Sub-Adviser to the Fund.
NOTE
2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The
following significant accounting policies are consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and follows
the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies.
A.
Security Valuation. The Fund is open for business every day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) opens
for regular trading (each such day, a “Business Day”). The net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the Fund
is determined each Business Day as of the close of the regular trading session (“Market Close”), as determined by
the Consolidated Tape Association (“CTA”), the central distributor of transaction prices for exchange-traded securities
(normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time unless otherwise designated by the CTA). The NAV per share of the Fund is calculated by taking
the value of the Fund’s assets, subtracting the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing by the number of shares that are
outstanding. On days when the Fund is closed for business, Fund shares will not be priced and the Fund does not transact purchase
and redemption orders. To the extent the Fund’s assets are traded in other markets on days when the Fund does not price
its shares, the value of the Fund’s assets will likely change and you will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the
Fund.
Portfolio
securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at market value. Investments in open-end registered investment
companies that do not trade on an exchange are valued at the end of day NAV per share. The prospectuses of the open-end registered
investment companies in which the Fund may invest explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the
effects of using fair value pricing. Foreign securities’ prices are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using the applicable
exchange rates as of Market Close.
When
a market quotation for a portfolio security is not readily
available
or is deemed unreliable (for example when trading has been halted or there are unexpected market closures or other material events
that would suggest that the market quotation is unreliable) and for purposes of determining the value of other Fund assets, the
asset is priced at its fair value. The Board has designated the Investment Adviser, as the valuation designee, to make fair value
determinations in good faith. In determining the fair value of the Fund’s assets, the Investment Adviser, pursuant to its
fair valuation policy, may consider inputs from pricing service providers, broker-dealers, or the Fund’s sub-adviser(s).
Issuer specific events, transaction price, position size, nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the security,
market trends, bid/ask quotes of brokers and other market data may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination
of an asset’s fair value. Because trading hours for certain foreign securities end before Market Close, closing market quotations
may become unreliable. The prices of foreign securities will generally be adjusted based on inputs from an independent pricing
service that are intended to reflect valuation changes through the NYSE close. Because of the inherent uncertainties of fair valuation,
the values used to determine the Fund’s NAV may materially differ from the value received upon actual sale of those investments.
Thus, fair valuation may have an unintended dilutive or accretive effect on the value of shareholders’ investments in the
Fund.
The
Fund’s financial instruments are valued at the close of the NYSE and are reported at fair value, which GAAP defines as the
price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants
at the measurement date.
Various
valuation techniques and inputs are used to determine the fair value of financial instruments. GAAP establishes the following
fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value:
Level
1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments that the fund can access at the reporting
date.
Level
2 – inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly (including, but not limited
to, quoted prices for similar financial instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments
in inactive markets, interest rates and yield curves, implied volatilities, and credit spreads).
Level
3 – unobservable inputs (including the fund’s own assumptions in determining fair value).
Observable
inputs are developed using market data, such
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2024 (continued)
NOTE
2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
as
publicly available information about actual events or transactions, and reflect the assumptions that market participants would
use to price the financial instrument. Unobservable inputs are those for which market data are not available and are developed
using the best information available about the assumptions that market participants would use to price the financial instrument.
GAAP requires valuation techniques to maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
When multiple inputs are used to derive fair value, the financial instrument is assigned to the level within the fair value hierarchy
based on the lowest-level input that is significant to the fair value of the financial instrument. Input levels are not necessarily
an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level but rather the degree of judgment used
in determining those values.
A
table summarizing the Fund’s investments under these levels of classification is included within the Portfolio of Investments.
Each
investment asset or liability of the Fund is assigned a level at measurement date based on the significance and source of the
inputs to its valuation. Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities are classified as “Level 1,” inputs
other than quoted prices for an asset or liability that are observable are classified as “Level 2” and significant
unobservable inputs, including the Sub-Adviser’s or Pricing Committee’s judgment about the assumptions that a market
participant would use in pricing an asset or liability are classified as “Level 3.” The inputs used for valuing securities
are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Short-term securities of sufficient
credit quality are generally considered to be Level 2 securities under applicable accounting rules. A table summarizing the Fund’s
investments under these levels of classification is included within the Portfolio of Investments.
GAAP
requires a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported fair values that presents changes attributable to total
realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchases and sales, and transfers in or out of the Level 3 category during the period.
A reconciliation of Level 3 investments within the Portfolio of Investments is presented only when the Fund has a significant
amount of Level 3 investments.
B.
Securities Transactions and Revenue Recognition.
Securities
transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses on sales of investments are calculated on the identified
cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Premium amortization and
discount
accretion are determined using the effective yield method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, or in the case
of some foreign dividends, when the information becomes available to the Fund.
C.
Foreign Currency Translation. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Any foreign currency
amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:
| (1) | Market
value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities — at the exchange
rates prevailing at Market Close. |
| (2) | Purchases
and sales of investment securities, income and expenses — at the rates of exchange
prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. |
Although
the net assets and the market values are presented at the foreign exchange rates at Market Close, the Fund does not isolate the
portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising
from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or
losses from investments. For securities, which are subject to foreign withholding tax upon disposition, liabilities are recorded
on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the estimated tax withholding based on the securities’ current market value.
Upon disposition, realized gains or losses on such securities are recorded net of foreign withholding tax.
Reported
net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between
the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign
withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid.
Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments
in securities, resulting from changes in the exchange rate. Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations
and risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and U.S. government securities. These risks include, but are
not limited to, revaluation of currencies and future adverse political and economic developments which could cause securities
and their markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies and U.S. government securities.
The foregoing risks are even greater with respect to securities of issuers in emerging markets.
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2024 (continued)
NOTE
2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
D.
Distributions to Shareholders. The Fund intends to make quarterly distributions from its cash available for distribution,
which consists of the Fund’s dividends and interest income after payment of Fund expenses, net option premiums and net realized
and unrealized gains on investments. Such quarterly distributions may also consist of return of capital. Under the Managed Distribution
Policy, the Fund may make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains more frequently than once per taxable year. Distributions
are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations, which
may differ from GAAP for investment companies.
The
tax treatment and characterization of the Fund’s distributions may vary significantly from time to time depending on whether
the Fund has gains or losses on the call options written in its portfolio versus gains or losses on the equity securities in the
portfolio. Each quarter, the Fund will provide disclosures with distribution payments made that estimate the percentages of that
distribution that represent net investment income, other income or capital gains, and return of capital, if any. The final composition
of the tax characteristics of the distributions cannot be determined with certainty until after the end of the Fund’s tax
year, and will be reported to shareholders at that time. A significant portion of the Fund’s distributions may constitute
a return of capital. The amount of quarterly distributions will vary, depending on a number of factors. As portfolio and market
conditions change, the rate of dividends on the common shares will change. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able
to declare a dividend in each period.
E.
Federal Income Taxes. It is the policy of the Fund to comply with the requirements of subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code that are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income
and any net realized capital gains to its shareholders. Therefore, a federal income tax or excise tax provision is not required.
Management has considered the sustainability of the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open
tax years in making this determination. The Fund may utilize equalization accounting for tax purposes, whereby a portion of redemption
payments are treated as distributions of income or gain.
F.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent
assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from
operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
G.
Risk Exposures and the Use of Derivative Instruments. The Fund’s investment objectives permit the Fund to
enter into various types of derivatives contracts, including, but not limited to, forward foreign currency exchange contracts
and purchased and written options. In doing so, the Fund will employ strategies in differing combinations to permit it to increase
or decrease the level of risk, or change the level or types of exposure to risk factors. This may allow the Fund to pursue its
objectives more quickly and efficiently than if it were to make direct purchases or sales of securities capable of affecting a
similar response to market or credit factors.
In
pursuit of its investment objectives, the Fund may seek to increase or decrease its exposure to the following market or credit
risk factors:
Credit
Risk. The price of a bond or other debt instrument is likely to fall if the issuer’s actual or perceived financial
health deteriorates, whether because of broad economic or issuer-specific reasons. In certain cases, the issuer could be late
in paying interest or principal, or could fail to pay its financial obligations altogether.
Equity
Risk. Stock prices may be volatile or have reduced liquidity in response to real or perceived impacts of factors including,
but not limited to, economic conditions, changes in market interest rates, and political events. Stock markets tend to be cyclical,
with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when stock prices generally decline. Any given stock market segment
may remain out of favor with investors for a short or long period of time, and stocks as an asset class may underperform bonds
or other asset classes during some periods. Additionally, legislative, regulatory or tax policies or developments in these areas
may adversely impact the investment techniques available to a manager, add to costs and impair the ability of the Fund to achieve
its investment objectives.
Foreign
Exchange Rate Risk. To the extent that the Fund invests directly in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or in securities denominated
in, or that trade in, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, it is subject to the risk that those foreign (non-U.S.) currencies will decline
in value relative to the U.S. dollar or, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative
to the currency being hedged by the Fund through foreign currency exchange transactions.
Currency
rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. Currency rates may be affected by changes in market interest rates,
intervention (or the failure
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2024 (continued)
NOTE
2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
to
intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, by
the imposition of currency controls, or other political or economic developments in the United States or abroad.
Interest
Rate Risk. Changes in short-term market interest rates will directly affect the yield on Common Shares. If short-term
market interest rates fall, the yield on Common Shares will also fall. To the extent that the interest rate spreads on loans in
the Fund’s portfolio experience a general decline, the yield on the Common Shares will fall and the value of the Fund’s
assets may decrease, which will cause the Fund’s NAV to decrease. Conversely, when short-term market interest rates rise,
because of the lag between changes in such short-term rates and the resetting of the floating rates on assets in the Fund’s
portfolio, the impact of rising rates will be delayed to the extent of such lag. In the case of inverse securities, the interest
rate paid by such securities generally will decrease when the market rate of interest to which the inverse security is indexed
increases. With respect to investments in fixed rate instruments, a rise in market interest rates generally causes values of such
instruments to fall. The values of fixed rate instruments with longer maturities or duration are more sensitive to changes in
market interest rates.
As
of the date of this report, the United States experiences a rising interest rate environment, which may increase the Fund’s
exposure to risks associated with rising market interest rates. Rising market interest rates could have unpredictable effects
on the markets and may expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility which could reduce liquidity for certain
investments, adversely affect values, and increase costs. If dealer capacity in fixed-income and related markets is insufficient
for market conditions, it may further inhibit liquidity and increase volatility in the fixed-income and related markets. Further,
recent and potential changes in government policy may affect interest rates.
Risks
of Investing in Derivatives. The Fund’s use of derivatives can result in losses due to unanticipated changes in
the market or credit risk factors and the overall market. In instances where the Fund is using derivatives to decrease, or hedge,
exposures to market or credit risk factors for securities held by the Fund, there are also risks that those derivatives may not
perform as expected resulting in losses for the combined or hedged positions.
Derivative
instruments are subject to a number of risks, including the risk of changes in the market price of the underlying securities,
credit risk with respect to the counterparty, risk of loss due to changes in market interest
rates
and liquidity and volatility risk. The amounts required to purchase certain derivatives may be small relative to the magnitude
of exposure assumed by the Fund. Therefore, the purchase of certain derivatives may have an economic leveraging effect on the
Fund and exaggerate any increase or decrease in the NAV. Derivatives may not perform as expected, so the Fund may not realize
the intended benefits. When used for hedging purposes, the change in value of a derivative may not correlate as expected with
the currency, security or other risk being hedged. When used as an alternative or substitute for direct cash investments, the
return provided by the derivative may not provide the same return as direct cash investment. In addition, given their complexity,
derivatives expose the Fund to the risk of improper valuation.
Generally,
derivatives are sophisticated financial instruments whose performance is derived, at least in part, from the performance of an
underlying asset or assets. Derivatives include, among other things, swap agreements, options, forwards and futures. Investments
in derivatives are generally negotiated over-the-counter (“OTC”) with a single counterparty and as a result are subject
to credit risks related to the counterparty’s ability or willingness to perform its obligations; any deterioration in the
counterparty’s creditworthiness could adversely affect the value of the derivative. In addition, derivatives and their underlying
securities may experience periods of illiquidity which could cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell, or to
sell a security it otherwise might hold at inopportune times or at an unanticipated price. A manager might imperfectly judge the
direction of the market. For instance, if a derivative is used as a hedge to offset investment risk in another security, the hedge
might not correlate to the market’s movements and may have unexpected or undesired results such as a loss or a reduction
in gains.
Counterparty
Credit Risk and Credit Related Contingent Features. Certain derivative positions are subject to counterparty credit risk,
which is the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. The Fund’s derivative counterparties
are financial institutions who are subject to market conditions that may weaken their financial position. The Fund intends to
enter into financial transactions with counterparties that it believes to be creditworthy at the time of the transaction. To reduce
this risk, the Fund generally enters into master netting arrangements, established within the Fund’s International Swap
and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreements (“Master Agreements”). These agreements are
with select counterparties and they govern transactions, including certain OTC derivative and forward foreign currency contracts,
entered into by the Fund and the counterparty. The Master Agreements maintain provisions for general obligations, representations,
agreements,
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2024 (continued)
NOTE
2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
collateral,
and events of default or termination. The occurrence of a specified event of termination may give a counterparty the right to
terminate all of its contracts and affect settlement of all outstanding transactions under the applicable Master Agreement.
The
Fund may also enter into collateral agreements with certain counterparties to further mitigate counterparty credit risk associated
with OTC derivative and forward foreign currency contracts. Subject to established minimum levels, collateral is generally determined
based on the net aggregate unrealized gain or loss on contracts with a certain counterparty. Collateral pledged to the Fund is
held in a segregated account by a third-party agent and can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. government
or related agencies.
The
Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally the aggregate unrealized gain
in excess of any collateral pledged by the counterparty to the Fund. For purchased OTC options, the Fund bears the risk of loss
in the amount of the premiums paid and the change in market value of the options should the counterparty not perform under the
contracts. The Fund did not enter into any purchased OTC options during the year ended February 29, 2024.
The
Fund’s Master Agreements with derivative counterparties have credit related contingent features that if triggered would
allow its derivatives counterparties to close out and demand payment or additional collateral to cover their exposure from the
Fund. Credit related contingent features are established between the Fund and its derivatives counterparties to reduce the risk
that the Fund will not fulfill its payment obligations to its counterparties. These triggering features include, but are not limited
to, a percentage decrease in the Fund’s net assets and/or a percentage decrease in the Fund’s NAV, which could cause
the Fund to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty. The contingent features are established within the
Fund’s Master Agreements.
Written
options by the Fund do not give rise to counterparty credit risk, as written options obligate the Fund to perform and not the
counterparty. As of February 29, 2024, the total value of written OTC call options subject to Master Agreements in liability position
was $1,069,389. If a contingent feature had been triggered, the Fund could have been required to pay this amount in cash to its
counterparties. The Fund did not pledge any cash collateral for its open written OTC call options at year end. There were no credit
events for the year ended February 29, 2024 that triggered any credit related contingent features.
H.
Options Contracts. The Fund may purchase put and call options and may write (sell) put options and covered call
options. The premium received by the Fund upon the writing of a put or call option is included in the Statement of Assets and
Liabilities as a liability which is subsequently marked-to-market until it is exercised or closed, or it expires. The Fund will
realize a gain or loss upon the expiration or closing of the option contract. When an option is exercised, the proceeds on sales
of the underlying security for a written call option or purchased put option or the purchase cost of the security for a written
put option or a purchased call option is adjusted by the amount of premium received or paid. The risk in writing a call option
is that the Fund gives up the opportunity for profit if the market price of the security increases and the option is exercised.
The risk in buying an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Risks may also arise from
an illiquid secondary market or from the inability of counterparties to meet the terms of the contract.
The
Fund generates premiums and seeks gains by writing options on ETFs or indexes on a portion of the value of the equity portfolio.
During
the year ended February 29, 2024, the Fund had an average notional amount on written equity options of $60,834,183. Please refer
to the table within the Portfolio of Investments for open written equity options at February 29, 2024.
I.
Indemnifications. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide certain indemnifications.
The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and,
therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, management considers risk of loss from such claims remote.
NOTE
3 — INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
The
cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of investments for the year ended February 29, 2024, excluding short-term securities,
were $132,728,623 and $148,784,224, respectively.
NOTE
4 — INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES
The
Fund has entered into an investment management agreement (“Management Agreement”) with the Investment Adviser. The
Investment Adviser has overall responsibility for the management of the Fund. The Investment Adviser oversees all investment management
and portfolio management services for the Fund and assists in managing and supervising all aspects of the general day-to-day business
activities and operations of the Fund, including custodial, transfer agency, dividend disbursing, accounting, auditing, compliance
and related
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2024 (continued)
NOTE
4 — INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES (continued)
services.
This Management Agreement compensates the Investment Adviser with a management fee, payable monthly, based on an annual rate of
1.10% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets. For the purposes of the Management Agreement, managed assets are defined
as the Fund’s average daily gross asset value, minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued and unpaid dividends on any outstanding
preferred shares and accrued liabilities (other than liabilities for the principal amount of any borrowings incurred, commercial
paper or notes issued by the Fund and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares). As of February 29, 2024
there were no preferred shares outstanding.
The
Investment Adviser has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with Voya IM. Voya IM provides investment advice for the Fund and
is paid by the Investment Adviser based on the average daily managed assets of the Fund. Subject to policies as the Board or the
Investment Adviser may determine, Voya IM manages the Fund’s assets in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives,
policies and limitations.
NOTE
5 — EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
The
Investment Adviser has entered into a written expense limitation agreement (“Expense Limitation Agreement”) with the
Fund under which it will limit the expenses of the Fund, excluding interest, taxes, investment-related costs, leverage expenses,
extraordinary expenses, and acquired fund fees and expenses to 1.22% of average daily managed assets.
The
Investment Adviser may at a later date recoup from the Fund for fees waived and/or other expenses reimbursed by the Investment
Adviser during the previous 36 months, but only if, after such recoupment, the Fund’s expense ratio does not exceed the
percentage described above.
NOTE
7 — CAPITAL SHARES
Transactions
in capital shares and dollars were as follows:
Waived
and reimbursed fees net of any recoupment by the Investment Adviser of such waived and reimbursed fees are reflected on the accompanying
Statement of Operations. Amounts payable by the Investment Adviser are reflected on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
As
of February 29, 2024, the amounts of waived and/or reimbursed fees that are subject to possible recoupment by the Investment Adviser
and the related expiration dates, are as follows:
| February
28 or 29, | | |
| | |
2025 | | |
2026 | | |
2027 | | |
Total | |
$ | 44,999
| | |
$ | 59,811 | | |
$ | 147,399 | | |
$ | 252,209 | |
The
Expense Limitation Agreement is contractual through March 1, 2025 and shall renew automatically for one-year terms. Termination
or modification of this obligation requires approval by the Board.
NOTE
6 — OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND RELATED PARTIES
The
Fund has adopted a deferred compensation plan (the “DC Plan”), which allows eligible independent trustees, as described
in the DC Plan, to defer the receipt of all or a portion of the trustees’ fees that they are entitled to receive from the
Fund. For purposes of determining the amount owed to the trustee under the DC Plan, the amounts deferred are invested in shares
of the funds selected by the trustee (the “Notional Funds”). When the Fund purchases shares of the Notional Funds,
which are all advised by Voya Investments, in amounts equal to the trustees’ deferred fees, this results in a Fund asset
equal to the deferred compensation liability. Such assets, if applicable, are included as a component of “Other assets”
on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Deferral of trustees’ fees under the DC Plan will not affect net
assets of the Fund, and will not materially affect the Fund’s assets, liabilities or net investment income per share. Amounts
will be deferred until distributed in accordance with the DC Plan.
| | |
| | |
Net
increase | | |
| | |
| |
| | |
| | |
(decrease)
in | | |
| | |
| |
| | |
Shares | | |
shares | | |
Shares | | |
Net
increase | |
| | |
repurchased | | |
outstanding | | |
repurchased | | |
(decrease) | |
Year
or period ended | | |
# | | |
# | | |
($) | | |
($) | |
2/29/2024 | | |
| (551,197) | | |
| (551,197) | | |
| (5,266,129) | | |
| (5,266,129) | |
2/28/2023 | | |
| (803,782) | | |
| (803,782) | | |
| (7,910,799) | | |
| (7,910,799) | |
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2024 (continued)
NOTE
7 — CAPITAL SHARES (continued)
Share Repurchase Program
Effective
April 1, 2024, pursuant to an open-market share repurchase program, the Fund may purchase, over the period ending March 31, 2025,
up to 10% of its stock in open-market transactions. Previously, pursuant to an open-market share repurchase program effective
April 1, 2023, the Fund could have purchased, over the one year period ended March 31, 2024, up to 10% of its stock in open-market
transactions. The amount and timing of the repurchases will be at the discretion of the Fund’s management, subject to market
conditions and investment considerations. There is no assurance that the Fund will purchase shares at any particular discount
level or in any particular amounts. Any repurchases made under this program would be made on a national securities exchange at
the prevailing market price, subject to exchange requirements and volume, timing and other limitations under federal securities
laws. The share repurchase program seeks to enhance shareholder value
by
purchasing shares trading at a discount from their NAV per share. The open-market share repurchase program does not obligate the
Fund to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares of its stock.
For
the year ended February 29, 2024, the Fund repurchased 551,197 shares, representing approximately 3.64% of the Fund’s outstanding
shares for a net purchase price of $5,266,129 (including commissions of $13,780). Shares were repurchased at a weighted-average
discount from NAV per share of 15.71% and a weighted-average price per share of $9.53.
For
the year ended February 28, 2023, the Fund repurchased 803,782 shares, representing approximately 5.12% of the Fund’s outstanding
shares for a net purchase price of $7,910,799 (including commissions of $20,095). Shares were repurchased at a weighted-average
discount from NAV per share of 13.64% and a weighted-average price per share of $9.82.
NOTE
8 — FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The
amount of distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income
tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP for investment companies. These book/tax differences may be either temporary or permanent.
Permanent differences are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences
are not reclassified. Key differences include the treatment of foreign currency transactions, income from passive foreign investment
companies (PFICs), and wash sale deferrals. Distributions in excess of net investment income and/or net realized capital gains
for tax purposes are reported as return of capital.
Dividends
paid by the Fund from net investment income and distributions of net realized short-term capital gains are, for federal income
tax purposes, taxable as ordinary income to shareholders.
The
tax composition of dividends and distributions in the current period will not be determined until after the Fund’s tax year-end
of December 31, 2024. The composition of distributions presented below may differ from amounts presented elsewhere in this report
due to differences in calculations between GAAP (book) and tax. The tax composition of dividends and distributions paid as of
the Fund’s most recent tax year-ends was as follows:
Tax
Year Ended December 31, 2023 | | |
Tax
Year Ended
December
31, 2022
| |
Ordinary
Income | |
|
Long-term
Capital Gains | |
Return
of Capital | | |
Ordinary
Income | | |
Long-term
Capital Gains | |
Return
of Capital | |
$ | 3,584,676 | |
|
$ |
3,354,486 | |
$ | 7,259,869 | | |
$ | 4,729,070 | | |
$ |
2,948,748 | |
$ | 7,288,319 | |
The
tax-basis components of distributable earnings as of December 31, 2023 were:
Unrealized | |
| |
|
| |
| |
| Total |
Appreciation/ | |
| Capital
Loss |
| |
| |
| Distributable |
(Depreciation) | |
| Carryforward |
| |
Other | |
| Earnings/(Loss) |
$ |
25,317,588 | |
| $ |
— |
| |
$ | (3,597,365) | |
| $ |
21,720,223 |
The
Fund’s major tax jurisdictions are U.S. federal and Arizona state.
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2024 (continued)
NOTE
8 — FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (continued)
As
of February 29, 2024, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements as a result of tax positions
taken on federal and state income tax returns for open tax years. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise
tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the
Internal Revenue Service and state department of revenue. Generally, the preceding four tax years remain subject to examination
by these jurisdictions.
NOTE
9 — LONDON INTERBANK OFFERED RATE (“LIBOR”)
The
London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) was the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international
banks. The terms of investments, financings or other transactions (including certain derivatives transactions) to which the Fund
may be a party have historically been tied to LIBOR. In connection with the global transition away from LIBOR led by regulators
and market participants, LIBOR was last published on a representative basis at the end of June 2023. Alternative reference rates
to LIBOR have been established in most major currencies and markets in these new rates are continuing to develop. The transition
away from LIBOR to the use of replacement rates has gone relatively smoothly on the Fund and the financial instruments in which
it invests; however, longer-term impacts are still uncertain.
In
addition, interest rates or other types of rates and indices which are classed as “benchmarks” have been the subject
of ongoing national and international regulatory reform, including under the European Union regulation on indices used as benchmarks
in financial instruments and financial contracts (known as the “Benchmarks Regulation”). The Benchmarks Regulation
has been enacted into United Kingdom law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended), subject to amendments
made by the Benchmarks (Amendment and Transitional Provision) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/657) and other statutory instruments.
Following the implementation of these reforms, the manner of administration of benchmarks has changed and may further change in
the future, with the result that relevant benchmarks may perform differently than in the past, the use of benchmarks that are
not compliant with the new standards by certain supervised entities may be restricted, and certain benchmarks may be eliminated
entirely. Such changes could cause increased market volatility and disruptions in liquidity for instruments that rely on or are
impacted by such benchmarks. Additionally, there could be other consequences which cannot be predicted.
NOTE
10 — MARKET DISRUPTION AND GEOPOLITICAL
The
Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and
markets. Due to the increasing
interdependence
among global economies and markets, conditions in one country, market, or region might adversely impact markets, issuers and/or
foreign exchange rates in other countries, including the United States. Wars, terrorism, global health crises and pandemics, and
other geopolitical events that have led, and may continue to lead, to increased market volatility and may have adverse short-
or long-term effects on U.S. and global economies and markets, generally. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant
market volatility, exchange suspensions and closures, declines in global financial markets, higher default rates, supply chain
disruptions, and a substantial economic downturn in economies throughout the world. The economic impacts of COVID-19 have created
a unique challenge for real estate markets. Many businesses have either partially or fully transitioned to a remote-working environment
and this transition may negatively impact the occupancy rates of commercial real estate over time. Natural and environmental disasters
and systemic market dislocations are also highly disruptive to economies and markets. In addition, military action by Russia in
Ukraine has, and may continue to, adversely affect global energy and financial markets and therefore could affect the value of
investments, including beyond those with direct exposure to Russian issuers or nearby geographic regions. The extent and duration
of the military action, sanctions, and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict and could be substantial. A number
of U.S. domestic banks and foreign (non-U.S.) banks have recently experienced financial difficulties and, in some cases, failures.
There can be no certainty that the actions taken by regulators to limit the effect of those financial difficulties and failures
on other banks or other financial institutions or on the U.S. or foreign (non-U.S.) economies generally will be successful. It
is possible that more banks or other financial institutions will experience financial difficulties or fail, which may affect adversely
other U.S. or foreign (non-U.S.) financial institutions and economies. These events as well as other changes in foreign (non-U.S.)
and domestic economic, social, and political conditions also could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers,
securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of the
Fund’s investments. Any of these occurrences could disrupt the operations of the Fund and of the Fund’s service providers.
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2024 (continued)
NOTE
11 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Dividends:
Subsequent to February 29, 2024, the Fund made distributions of:
Per
Share |
|
Declaration |
|
Payable |
|
Record |
Amount |
|
Date |
|
Date |
|
Date |
$0.229 |
|
3/15/2024 |
|
4/15/2024 |
|
4/2/2024 |
Distributions:
Effective April 1, 2024, the Fund changed dividend frequency from quarterly to monthly.
Each
month, the Fund will provide disclosures with distribution payments made that estimate the percentages of that distribution that
represent net investment income, capital gains, and return of capital, if any. A significant portion of the monthly distribution
payments made by the Fund may constitute a return of capital.
The
Fund has evaluated events occurring after the Statement of Assets and Liabilities date through the date that the financial statements
were issued (“subsequent events”) to determine whether any subsequent events necessitated adjustment to or disclosure
in the financial statements. Other than the above, no such subsequent events were identified.
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials |
PORTFOLIO
OF INVESTMENTS |
and
Materials Fund |
as
of February 29, 2024 |
Shares | | |
| |
Value | | |
Percentage
of Net Assets | |
COMMON
STOCK: 98.5% | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Australia:
3.6% | |
| | | |
| | |
313,758 | | |
Aurizon Holdings
Ltd. | |
$ | 777,626 | | |
| 0.4 | |
36,256 | | |
BHP Group Ltd. - Class
DI | |
| 1,039,327 | | |
| 0.6 | |
21,659 | | |
BlueScope Steel Ltd. | |
| 322,080 | | |
| 0.2 | |
15,432 | | |
Fortescue Metals Group
Ltd. | |
| 260,462 | | |
| 0.1 | |
42,187 | | |
Reece Ltd. | |
| 738,696 | | |
| 0.4 | |
15,358 | | |
Rio Tinto Ltd. | |
| 1,236,765 | | |
| 0.7 | |
140,740 | | |
South32 Ltd. - Class
DI | |
| 269,613 | | |
| 0.2 | |
385,396 | | |
Telstra Group Ltd. | |
| 957,600 | | |
| 0.5 | |
93,030 | | |
Transurban
Group | |
| 819,802 | | |
| 0.5 | |
| | |
| |
| 6,421,971 | | |
| 3.6 | |
| | |
Austria:
0.1% | |
| | | |
| | |
10,307 | | |
Mondi
PLC QX | |
| 183,254 | | |
| 0.1 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Brazil:
1.2% | |
| | | |
| | |
110,806 | | |
Cia Siderurgica Nacional
SA | |
| 376,256 | | |
| 0.2 | |
27,187 | | |
Telefonica Brasil SA | |
| 298,498 | | |
| 0.2 | |
143,637 | | |
TIM SA/Brazil | |
| 523,567 | | |
| 0.3 | |
19,573 | | |
Vale SA - Foreign | |
| 264,000 | | |
| 0.1 | |
17,518 | | |
Wheaton
Precious Metals Corp. | |
| 721,941 | | |
| 0.4 | |
| | |
| |
| 2,184,262 | | |
| 1.2 | |
| | |
Canada:
4.5% | |
| | | |
| | |
7,940 | | |
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. | |
| 380,809 | | |
| 0.2 | |
23,553 | | |
AltaGas Ltd. | |
| 504,850 | | |
| 0.3 | |
23,223 | | |
Barrick Gold Corp. | |
| 338,638 | | |
| 0.2 | |
2,892 | | |
Canadian National Railway
Co. | |
| 374,981 | | |
| 0.2 | |
6,795 | | |
Canadian Pacific Kansas
City Ltd. | |
| 576,935 | | |
| 0.3 | |
29,275 | | |
Canadian Utilities Ltd.
- Class A | |
| 659,208 | | |
| 0.4 | |
20,255 | | |
Enbridge, Inc. | |
| 696,235 | | |
| 0.4 | |
1,583 | | |
Franco-Nevada Corp. | |
| 165,736 | | |
| 0.1 | |
13,442
(1) | | |
Hydro One Ltd. | |
| 400,640 | | |
| 0.2 | |
36,342 | | |
Kinross Gold Corp. | |
| 177,807 | | |
| 0.1 | |
40,022 | | |
Pembina Pipeline Corp. | |
| 1,392,800 | | |
| 0.8 | |
16,206 | | |
Quebecor, Inc. - Class
B | |
| 379,014 | | |
| 0.2 | |
14,872 | | |
Rogers Communications,
Inc. - Class B | |
| 658,153 | | |
| 0.4 | |
7,746 | | |
TC Energy Corp. | |
| 306,381 | | |
| 0.2 | |
6,957 | | |
Teck Resources Ltd. -
Class B | |
| 267,331 | | |
| 0.1 | |
9,942 | | |
West
Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. | |
| 800,107 | | |
| 0.4 | |
| | |
| |
| 8,079,625 | | |
| 4.5 | |
| | |
China:
3.0% | |
| | | |
| | |
952,000 | | |
AviChina Industry &
Technology Co. Ltd. - Class H | |
| 390,615 | | |
| 0.2 | |
314,500 | | |
BOE Technology Group
Co. Ltd. - Class A | |
| 174,301 | | |
| 0.1 | |
267,800 | | |
CECEP Solar Energy Co.
Ltd. - Class A | |
| 202,122 | | |
| 0.1 | |
1,071,580 | | |
CECEP Wind-Power Corp.
- Class A | |
| 446,604 | | |
| 0.3 | |
1,070,000 | | |
China Communications
Services Corp. Ltd. - Class H | |
| 454,514 | | |
| 0.3 | |
Shares | | |
| |
Value | | |
Percentage
of Net Assets | |
COMMON STOCK: (continued) |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
China
(continued) | |
| | | |
| | |
287,000 | | |
China Longyuan
Power Group Corp. Ltd. - Class H | |
$ | 202,253 | | |
| 0.1 | |
228,000 | | |
China Oilfield Services
Ltd. - Class H | |
| 200,638 | | |
| 0.1 | |
579,000 | | |
China Railway Group Ltd.
- Class H | |
| 282,024 | | |
| 0.2 | |
2,492,000
(1) | | |
China Tower Corp. Ltd.
- Class H | |
| 302,051 | | |
| 0.2 | |
1,228,400 | | |
Shanghai Construction
Group Co. Ltd. - Class A | |
| 417,908 | | |
| 0.2 | |
87,500 | | |
Sinotruk Hong Kong Ltd. | |
| 231,337 | | |
| 0.1 | |
27,800 | | |
Sunresin New Materials
Co. Ltd. - Class A | |
| 193,928 | | |
| 0.1 | |
214,100 | | |
Western Mining Co. Ltd.
- Class A | |
| 494,495 | | |
| 0.3 | |
210,700 | | |
Yutong Bus Co. Ltd. -
Class A | |
| 546,869 | | |
| 0.3 | |
670,000 | | |
Zhejiang Expressway Co.
Ltd. - Class H | |
| 510,956 | | |
| 0.3 | |
69,400 | | |
Zhuzhou
CRRC Times Electric Co. Ltd. - Class H | |
| 203,477 | | |
| 0.1 | |
| | |
| |
| 5,254,092 | | |
| 3.0 | |
| | |
Denmark:
0.2% | |
| | | |
| | |
218 | | |
AP
Moller - Maersk A/S - Class B | |
| 309,373 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
France:
3.9% | |
| | | |
| | |
1,694 | | |
Air Liquide SA | |
| 344,310 | | |
| 0.2 | |
1,308 | | |
Airbus SE | |
| 216,421 | | |
| 0.1 | |
6,839 | | |
Arkema SA | |
| 708,877 | | |
| 0.4 | |
21,612 | | |
Cie de Saint-Gobain | |
| 1,666,084 | | |
| 1.0 | |
63,830 | | |
Getlink SE | |
| 1,089,802 | | |
| 0.6 | |
14,340 | | |
Legrand SA | |
| 1,452,375 | | |
| 0.8 | |
17,499 | | |
Orange SA | |
| 200,591 | | |
| 0.1 | |
15,207 | | |
Rexel SA | |
| 390,382 | | |
| 0.2 | |
4,067 | | |
Schneider
Electric SE | |
| 924,399 | | |
| 0.5 | |
| | |
| |
| 6,993,241 | | |
| 3.9 | |
| | |
Germany:
5.1% | |
| | | |
| | |
13,810 | | |
BASF SE | |
| 703,441 | | |
| 0.4 | |
6,247 | | |
Brenntag SE | |
| 570,379 | | |
| 0.3 | |
26,492 | | |
Daimler Truck Holding
AG | |
| 1,082,316 | | |
| 0.6 | |
61,406 | | |
Deutsche Telekom AG,
Reg | |
| 1,459,560 | | |
| 0.8 | |
16,405 | | |
Evonik Industries AG | |
| 302,823 | | |
| 0.2 | |
11,792 | | |
GEA Group AG | |
| 475,648 | | |
| 0.3 | |
11,070 | | |
Heidelberg Materials
AG | |
| 1,074,886 | | |
| 0.6 | |
24,733 | | |
RWE AG | |
| 828,491 | | |
| 0.5 | |
13,007 | | |
Siemens
AG, Reg | |
| 2,574,984 | | |
| 1.4 | |
| | |
| |
| 9,072,528 | | |
| 5.1 | |
| | |
Greece:
0.1% | |
| | | |
| | |
14,251
(2) | | |
Public
Power Corp. SA | |
| 186,152 | | |
| 0.1 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Hong
Kong: 0.3% | |
| | | |
| | |
13,600 | | |
Jardine
Matheson Holdings Ltd. | |
| 570,044 | | |
| 0.3 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
India:
1.9% | |
| | | |
| | |
16,134 | | |
Adani Ports & Special
Economic Zone Ltd. | |
| 256,141 | | |
| 0.1 | |
29,059 | | |
JSW Steel Ltd. | |
| 280,162 | | |
| 0.2 | |
See
Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials |
PORTFOLIO
OF INVESTMENTS |
and Materials Fund |
as
of February 29, 2024 (continued) |
Shares | | |
| |
Value | | |
Percentage
of Net Assets | |
COMMON
STOCK: (continued) | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
India
(continued) | |
| | | |
| | |
25,058 | | |
Larsen &
Toubro Ltd. | |
$ | 1,050,589 | | |
| 0.6 | |
10,267 | | |
PI Industries Ltd. | |
| 454,772 | | |
| 0.3 | |
102,938 | | |
Power Grid Corp. of India
Ltd. | |
| 351,685 | | |
| 0.2 | |
301,894 | | |
Tata Steel Ltd. | |
| 511,764 | | |
| 0.3 | |
132,133 | | |
Vedanta Ltd. | |
| 425,769 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| | |
| |
| 3,330,882 | | |
| 1.9 | |
| | |
Indonesia:
0.2% | |
| | | |
| | |
528,600 | | |
Indah Kiat Pulp &
Paper Tbk PT | |
| 293,783 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Ireland:
0.8% | |
| | | |
| | |
2,608 | | |
Allegion PLC | |
| 333,485 | | |
| 0.2 | |
584 | | |
CRH PLC IE | |
| 48,642 | | |
| 0.0 | |
4,181 | | |
CRH PLC US | |
| 352,500 | | |
| 0.2 | |
7,715
(2) | | |
James Hardie Industries
PLC | |
| 305,171 | | |
| 0.2 | |
7,966 | | |
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC | |
| 340,463 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| | |
| |
| 1,380,261 | | |
| 0.8 | |
| | |
Italy:
0.2% | |
| | | |
| | |
44,920 | | |
Terna - Rete Elettrica
Nazionale | |
| 351,904 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Japan:
9.2% | |
| | | |
| | |
24,500 | | |
AGC, Inc. | |
| 876,093 | | |
| 0.5 | |
83,500 | | |
Asahi Kasei Corp. | |
| 580,991 | | |
| 0.3 | |
54,800 | | |
Central Japan Railway
Co. | |
| 1,378,214 | | |
| 0.8 | |
62,300 | | |
Chubu Electric Power
Co., Inc. | |
| 775,402 | | |
| 0.4 | |
22,500 | | |
FANUC Corp. | |
| 655,861 | | |
| 0.4 | |
4,400 | | |
Hitachi Ltd. | |
| 372,770 | | |
| 0.2 | |
48,700 | | |
Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. | |
| 909,529 | | |
| 0.5 | |
15,900 | | |
JFE Holdings, Inc. | |
| 260,765 | | |
| 0.1 | |
3,800 | | |
Keyence Corp. | |
| 1,780,893 | | |
| 1.0 | |
16,900 | | |
Makita Corp. | |
| 442,175 | | |
| 0.3 | |
32,900 | | |
MISUMI Group, Inc. | |
| 502,849 | | |
| 0.3 | |
121,100 | | |
Mitsubishi Chemical Group
Corp. | |
| 694,913 | | |
| 0.4 | |
10,900 | | |
Mitsubishi Corp. | |
| 233,800 | | |
| 0.1 | |
3,300 | | |
Nippon Express Holdings,
Inc. | |
| 174,460 | | |
| 0.1 | |
13,800 | | |
Nitto Denko Corp. | |
| 1,268,827 | | |
| 0.7 | |
8,600 | | |
Osaka Gas Co. Ltd. | |
| 171,627 | | |
| 0.1 | |
14,500 | | |
Shimadzu Corp. | |
| 396,115 | | |
| 0.2 | |
12,000 | | |
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co.
Ltd. | |
| 512,092 | | |
| 0.3 | |
1,700 | | |
SMC Corp. | |
| 1,026,080 | | |
| 0.6 | |
11,200 | | |
SoftBank Group Corp. | |
| 663,407 | | |
| 0.4 | |
49,800 | | |
Sumitomo Corp. | |
| 1,169,102 | | |
| 0.7 | |
32,900
(2) | | |
Tokyo Electric Power
Co. Holdings, Inc. | |
| 177,982 | | |
| 0.1 | |
12,800 | | |
Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. | |
| 280,169 | | |
| 0.2 | |
14,900 | | |
Toyota Tsusho Corp. | |
| 965,274 | | |
| 0.5 | |
| | |
| |
| 16,269,390 | | |
| 9.2 | |
| | |
Luxembourg:
0.5% | |
| | | |
| | |
33,905 | | |
ArcelorMittal SA | |
| 884,426 | | |
| 0.5 | |
Shares | | |
| |
Value | | |
Percentage
of Net Assets | |
COMMON
STOCK: (continued) | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Mexico:
0.5% | |
| | | |
| | |
314,946 | | |
Operadora
De Sites | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Mexicanos SAB de CV -
Class 1 | |
$ | 367,900 | | |
| 0.2 | |
49,126 | | |
Promotora
y Operadora de Infraestructura SAB de CV | |
| 512,870 | | |
| 0.3 | |
| | |
| |
| 880,770 | | |
| 0.5 | |
| | |
Netherlands:
0.1% | |
| | | |
| | |
3,444 | | |
Akzo Nobel NV | |
| 251,030 | | |
| 0.1 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Norway:
0.4% | |
| | | |
| | |
36,963 | | |
Telenor ASA | |
| 404,386 | | |
| 0.2 | |
8,950 | | |
Yara International ASA | |
| 278,516 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| | |
| |
| 682,902 | | |
| 0.4 | |
| | |
Qatar:
0.5% | |
| | | |
| | |
876,490 | | |
Mesaieed Petrochemical
Holding Co. | |
| 454,976 | | |
| 0.3 | |
59,880 | | |
Ooredoo QPSC | |
| 186,991 | | |
| 0.1 | |
38,033 | | |
Qatar Electricity &
Water Co. QSC | |
| 180,625 | | |
| 0.1 | |
| | |
| |
| 822,592 | | |
| 0.5 | |
| | |
Russia:
—% | |
| | | |
| | |
267,141
(3) | | |
Alrosa PJSC | |
| — | | |
| — | |
4,101,092
(3) | | |
Inter RAO UES PJSC | |
| — | | |
| — | |
124,960
(3) | | |
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| | |
| |
| — | | |
| — | |
| | |
Saudi
Arabia: 0.9% | |
| | | |
| | |
40,194 | | |
Etihad Etisalat Co. | |
| 592,680 | | |
| 0.3 | |
21,895 | | |
Sahara International
Petrochemical Co. | |
| 178,913 | | |
| 0.1 | |
77,941 | | |
Saudi Electricity Co. | |
| 416,055 | | |
| 0.3 | |
29,785 | | |
Saudi Telecom Co. | |
| 337,154 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| | |
| |
| 1,524,802 | | |
| 0.9 | |
| | |
Singapore:
0.8% | |
| | | |
| | |
60,500
(1) | | |
BOC Aviation Ltd. | |
| 445,350 | | |
| 0.2 | |
17,300 | | |
Jardine Cycle & Carriage
Ltd. | |
| 327,948 | | |
| 0.2 | |
86,400 | | |
Sembcorp Industries Ltd. | |
| 328,125 | | |
| 0.2 | |
124,100 | | |
Singapore Technologies
Engineering Ltd. | |
| 367,420 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| | |
| |
| 1,468,843 | | |
| 0.8 | |
| | |
South
Africa: 0.1% | |
| | | |
| | |
51,631 | | |
Impala Platinum Holdings
Ltd. | |
| 175,214 | | |
| 0.1 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
South
Korea: 1.4% | |
| | | |
| | |
16,524 | | |
GS Holdings Corp. | |
| 596,463 | | |
| 0.4 | |
1,534 | | |
Hanwha Aerospace Co.
Ltd. | |
| 216,162 | | |
| 0.1 | |
6,857
(2) | | |
HD Korea Shipbuilding
& Offshore Engineering Co. Ltd. | |
| 576,832 | | |
| 0.3 | |
6,770 | | |
KT Corp. | |
| 198,582 | | |
| 0.1 | |
519 | | |
LG Chem Ltd. | |
| 177,268 | | |
| 0.1 | |
1,179 | | |
LG Innotek Co. Ltd. | |
| 179,170 | | |
| 0.1 | |
654 | | |
POSCO Holdings, Inc. | |
| 212,546 | | |
| 0.1 | |
7,051
(2) | | |
SK Square Co. Ltd. | |
| 369,985 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| | |
| |
| 2,527,008 | | |
| 1.4 | |
| | |
Spain:
2.3% | |
| | | |
| | |
5,683 | | |
Acciona SA | |
| 636,638 | | |
| 0.4 | |
See
Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials |
PORTFOLIO
OF INVESTMENTS |
and Materials Fund |
as
of February 29, 2024 (continued) |
Shares | | |
| |
Value | | |
Percentage
of Net Assets | |
COMMON STOCK: (continued) | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Spain
(continued) | |
| | | |
| | |
6,918
(1) | | |
Aena SME
SA | |
$ | 1,314,349 | | |
| 0.7 | |
5,015
(1) | | |
Cellnex Telecom SA | |
| 181,315 | | |
| 0.1 | |
56,621 | | |
Red Electrica Corp. SA | |
| 900,861 | | |
| 0.5 | |
273,658 | | |
Telefonica SA | |
| 1,122,704 | | |
| 0.6 | |
| | |
| |
| 4,155,867 | | |
| 2.3 | |
| | |
Sweden:
2.8% | |
| | | |
| | |
19,169 | | |
Holmen AB - Class B | |
| 769,625 | | |
| 0.4 | |
24,093 | | |
Husqvarna AB - Class
B | |
| 186,084 | | |
| 0.1 | |
21,636 | | |
Sandvik AB | |
| 487,184 | | |
| 0.3 | |
35,470 | | |
SKF AB - Class B | |
| 774,738 | | |
| 0.4 | |
21,542 | | |
Tele2 AB - Class B | |
| 180,681 | | |
| 0.1 | |
59,404 | | |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM
Ericsson - Class B | |
| 322,564 | | |
| 0.2 | |
233,442 | | |
Telia Co. AB | |
| 555,622 | | |
| 0.3 | |
63,944 | | |
Volvo AB - Class B | |
| 1,761,883 | | |
| 1.0 | |
| | |
| |
| 5,038,381 | | |
| 2.8 | |
| | |
Switzerland:
2.6% | |
| | | |
| | |
29,970 | | |
ABB Ltd., Reg | |
| 1,382,886 | | |
| 0.8 | |
76 | | |
Givaudan SA, Reg | |
| 318,891 | | |
| 0.2 | |
21,291 | | |
Holcim AG | |
| 1,737,762 | | |
| 1.0 | |
4,046 | | |
Sika AG, Reg | |
| 1,170,170 | | |
| 0.6 | |
| | |
| |
| 4,609,709 | | |
| 2.6 | |
| | |
Taiwan:
1.5% | |
| | | |
| | |
569,000 | | |
AUO Corp. | |
| 315,580 | | |
| 0.2 | |
226,000 | | |
China Steel Corp. | |
| 176,007 | | |
| 0.1 | |
64,000 | | |
Delta Electronics, Inc. | |
| 596,394 | | |
| 0.3 | |
322,000 | | |
Hon Hai Precision Industry
Co. Ltd. | |
| 1,049,874 | | |
| 0.6 | |
63,000 | | |
WPG Holdings Ltd. | |
| 184,975 | | |
| 0.1 | |
86,000 | | |
Zhen Ding Technology
Holding Ltd. | |
| 273,693 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| | |
| |
| 2,596,523 | | |
| 1.5 | |
| | |
Thailand:
0.2% | |
| | | |
| | |
285,900 | | |
Indorama Ventures PCL | |
| 185,800 | | |
| 0.1 | |
204,800 | | |
PTT Global Chemical PCL | |
| 216,759 | | |
| 0.1 | |
| | |
| |
| 402,559 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| | |
Turkey:
0.1% | |
| | | |
| | |
86,137 | | |
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri
AS | |
| 184,649 | | |
| 0.1 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
United
Kingdom: 3.7% | |
| | | |
| | |
16,457 | | |
Anglo American PLC | |
| 354,601 | | |
| 0.2 | |
97,071 | | |
BAE Systems PLC | |
| 1,523,701 | | |
| 0.9 | |
15,743 | | |
Bunzl PLC | |
| 627,507 | | |
| 0.3 | |
284,997 | | |
Centrica PLC | |
| 453,452 | | |
| 0.3 | |
3,783 | | |
Ferguson PLC | |
| 799,915 | | |
| 0.4 | |
17,479 | | |
Pentair PLC | |
| 1,359,691 | | |
| 0.8 | |
44,441 | | |
Smiths Group PLC | |
| 904,799 | | |
| 0.5 | |
581,248 | | |
Vodafone Group PLC | |
| 510,577 | | |
| 0.3 | |
| | |
| |
| 6,534,243 | | |
| 3.7 | |
| | |
United
States: 45.8% | |
| | | |
| | |
8,279 | | |
3M Co. | |
| 762,661 | | |
| 0.4 | |
8,020 | | |
A.O. Smith Corp. | |
| 664,858 | | |
| 0.4 | |
14,808 | | |
AECOM | |
| 1,315,395 | | |
| 0.7 | |
28,907 | | |
AES Corp. | |
| 439,386 | | |
| 0.3 | |
1,518 | | |
Air Products and Chemicals,
Inc. | |
| 355,273 | | |
| 0.2 | |
15,134 | | |
AMERCO | |
| 962,068 | | |
| 0.5 | |
Shares | | |
| |
Value | | |
Percentage
of Net Assets | |
COMMON STOCK: (continued) | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
United
States (continued) | | |
| | |
5,664 | | |
American
Electric Power Co., Inc. | |
$ | 482,516 | | |
| 0.3 | |
9,991 | | |
AMETEK, Inc. | |
| 1,800,178 | | |
| 1.0 | |
3,346
(2) | | |
Arista Networks, Inc. | |
| 928,649 | | |
| 0.5 | |
107,101 | | |
AT&T, Inc. | |
| 1,813,220 | | |
| 1.0 | |
8,157 | | |
Atmos Energy Corp. | |
| 921,007 | | |
| 0.5 | |
46,879 | | |
Baker Hughes Co. | |
| 1,387,150 | | |
| 0.8 | |
5,719
(2) | | |
Boeing Co. | |
| 1,165,075 | | |
| 0.7 | |
2,330
(2) | | |
Builders FirstSource,
Inc. | |
| 454,769 | | |
| 0.3 | |
882 | | |
Carlisle Cos., Inc. | |
| 308,700 | | |
| 0.2 | |
19,195 | | |
Carrier Global Corp. | |
| 1,066,858 | | |
| 0.6 | |
4,233 | | |
Caterpillar, Inc. | |
| 1,413,653 | | |
| 0.8 | |
9,237 | | |
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. | |
| 254,018 | | |
| 0.1 | |
72,128 | | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. | |
| 3,488,831 | | |
| 2.0 | |
17,406
(2) | | |
Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. | |
| 362,045 | | |
| 0.2 | |
15,959 | | |
CSX Corp. | |
| 605,484 | | |
| 0.3 | |
2,061 | | |
Deere & Co. | |
| 752,368 | | |
| 0.4 | |
8,879 | | |
Delta Air Lines, Inc. | |
| 375,315 | | |
| 0.2 | |
5,854 | | |
Dover Corp. | |
| 968,135 | | |
| 0.5 | |
23,087 | | |
Dow, Inc. | |
| 1,290,102 | | |
| 0.7 | |
13,085 | | |
DTE Energy Co. | |
| 1,417,760 | | |
| 0.8 | |
2,685 | | |
Duke Energy Corp. | |
| 246,564 | | |
| 0.1 | |
10,106 | | |
Eastman Chemical Co. | |
| 886,700 | | |
| 0.5 | |
2,603 | | |
Eaton Corp. PLC | |
| 752,267 | | |
| 0.4 | |
21,117 | | |
Edison International | |
| 1,436,378 | | |
| 0.8 | |
8,460 | | |
Emerson Electric Co. | |
| 903,951 | | |
| 0.5 | |
2,921 | | |
Entergy Corp. | |
| 296,686 | | |
| 0.2 | |
22,401 | | |
Evergy, Inc. | |
| 1,109,746 | | |
| 0.6 | |
11,325 | | |
Eversource Energy | |
| 664,778 | | |
| 0.4 | |
6,731
(2) | | |
F5, Inc. | |
| 1,260,178 | | |
| 0.7 | |
3,987 | | |
Fastenal Co. | |
| 291,091 | | |
| 0.2 | |
2,652 | | |
FedEx Corp. | |
| 660,268 | | |
| 0.4 | |
17,822 | | |
Fortive Corp. | |
| 1,517,187 | | |
| 0.9 | |
13,272 | | |
Fortune Brands Innovations,
Inc. | |
| 1,079,545 | | |
| 0.6 | |
21,915 | | |
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. | |
| 828,606 | | |
| 0.5 | |
9,582 | | |
General Electric Co. | |
| 1,503,320 | | |
| 0.8 | |
10,374 | | |
Graco, Inc. | |
| 946,731 | | |
| 0.5 | |
31,392 | | |
Halliburton Co. | |
| 1,100,917 | | |
| 0.6 | |
3,222 | | |
Honeywell International,
Inc. | |
| 640,308 | | |
| 0.4 | |
14,506 | | |
Ingersoll Rand, Inc. | |
| 1,324,833 | | |
| 0.7 | |
1,246 | | |
Jabil, Inc. | |
| 179,536 | | |
| 0.1 | |
14,429 | | |
Johnson Controls International
PLC | |
| 855,207 | | |
| 0.5 | |
8,881
(2) | | |
Keysight Technologies,
Inc. | |
| 1,370,338 | | |
| 0.8 | |
10,085 | | |
Kinder Morgan, Inc. | |
| 175,378 | | |
| 0.1 | |
4,820 | | |
Linde PLC US | |
| 2,163,312 | | |
| 1.2 | |
675 | | |
Lockheed Martin Corp. | |
| 289,062 | | |
| 0.2 | |
5,503 | | |
Newmont Corp. | |
| 171,969 | | |
| 0.1 | |
9,606 | | |
NextEra Energy, Inc. | |
| 530,155 | | |
| 0.3 | |
46,960 | | |
NiSource, Inc. | |
| 1,223,778 | | |
| 0.7 | |
2,245 | | |
Nordson Corp. | |
| 596,384 | | |
| 0.3 | |
3,338 | | |
NRG Energy, Inc. | |
| 184,658 | | |
| 0.1 | |
4,864 | | |
Nucor Corp. | |
| 935,347 | | |
| 0.5 | |
2,530 | | |
Old Dominion Freight
Line, Inc. | |
| 1,119,474 | | |
| 0.6 | |
13,138 | | |
Otis Worldwide Corp. | |
| 1,252,051 | | |
| 0.7 | |
See
Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials |
PORTFOLIO
OF INVESTMENTS |
and Materials Fund |
as
of February 29, 2024 (continued) |
Shares | | |
| |
Value | | |
Percentage
of Net Assets | |
COMMON
STOCK: (continued) | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
United
States (continued) | | |
| | |
6,790 | | |
Owens Corning | |
$ | 1,017,006 | | |
| 0.6 | |
3,338 | | |
Parker-Hannifin Corp. | |
| 1,787,332 | | |
| 1.0 | |
63,411 | | |
PG&E Corp. | |
| 1,058,330 | | |
| 0.6 | |
11,080 | | |
PPG Industries, Inc. | |
| 1,568,928 | | |
| 0.9 | |
6,529 | | |
Raytheon Technologies
Corp. | |
| 585,455 | | |
| 0.3 | |
1,986 | | |
Reliance Steel &
Aluminum Co. | |
| 637,943 | | |
| 0.4 | |
4,224 | | |
Rockwell Automation,
Inc. | |
| 1,204,178 | | |
| 0.7 | |
10,642 | | |
RPM International, Inc. | |
| 1,227,555 | | |
| 0.7 | |
18,863 | | |
Schlumberger NV | |
| 911,649 | | |
| 0.5 | |
21,419 | | |
Sempra Energy | |
| 1,512,181 | | |
| 0.9 | |
6,511 | | |
Sherwin-Williams Co. | |
| 2,161,847 | | |
| 1.2 | |
2,145 | | |
Snap-on, Inc. | |
| 591,291 | | |
| 0.3 | |
4,021 | | |
Stanley Black & Decker,
Inc. | |
| 359,035 | | |
| 0.2 | |
4,745 | | |
Steel Dynamics, Inc. | |
| 634,976 | | |
| 0.4 | |
3,652 | | |
Textron, Inc. | |
| 325,284 | | |
| 0.2 | |
2,237 | | |
T-Mobile US, Inc. | |
| 365,302 | | |
| 0.2 | |
374 | | |
TransDigm Group, Inc. | |
| 440,475 | | |
| 0.3 | |
11,899
(2) | | |
Trimble, Inc. | |
| 728,100 | | |
| 0.4 | |
21,274
(2) | | |
Uber Technologies, Inc. | |
| 1,691,283 | | |
| 1.0 | |
3,398 | | |
Union Pacific Corp. | |
| 862,039 | | |
| 0.5 | |
8,670 | | |
United Parcel Service,
Inc. - Class B | |
| 1,285,414 | | |
| 0.7 | |
1,140 | | |
United Rentals, Inc. | |
| 790,328 | | |
| 0.4 | |
37,188 | | |
Verizon Communications,
Inc. | |
| 1,488,264 | | |
| 0.8 | |
4,234 | | |
Vertiv Holdings Co. -
Class A | |
| 286,303 | | |
| 0.2 | |
17,196 | | |
Vistra Corp. | |
| 937,870 | | |
| 0.5 | |
493 | | |
Watsco, Inc. | |
| 194,301 | | |
| 0.1 | |
8,268 | | |
Westinghouse Air Brake
Technologies Corp. | |
| 1,168,186 | | |
| 0.7 | |
835 | | |
WW Grainger, Inc. | |
| 812,839 | | |
| 0.5 | |
7,549 | | |
Xcel
Energy, Inc. | |
| 397,757 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| | |
| |
| 81,283,628 | | |
| 45.8 | |
| | |
Total Common Stock | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
(Cost $148,149,080) | |
| 174,903,908 | | |
| 98.5 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS: 1.6% | |
| | | |
| | |
27,407 | | |
iShares
MSCI ACWI ETF | |
| 2,922,956 | | |
| 1.6 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Total Exchange-Traded
Funds | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
(Cost $2,745,159) | |
| 2,922,956 | | |
| 1.6 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
PREFERRED
STOCK: 0.4% | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Brazil:
0.4% | |
| | | |
| | |
263,199 | | |
Cia
Energetica de Minas Gerais | |
| 631,644 | | |
| 0.4 | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Total Preferred Stock | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
(Cost $567,816) | |
| 631,644 | | |
| 0.4 | |
| | |
Total Long-Term Investments | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
(Cost $151,462,055) | |
| 178,458,508 | | |
| 100.5 | |
Shares | |
|
| |
Value | | |
Percentage
of Net Assets | |
SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS: 0.4% | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
|
Mutual
Funds: 0.4% | | |
| | |
790,000
(4) | |
|
Goldman
Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, Institutional Class, 5.190% (Cost $790,000) | |
$ | 790,000 | | |
| 0.4 | |
| |
|
| |
| | | |
| | |
| |
|
Total Short-Term Investments | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
|
(Cost $790,000) | |
$ | 790,000 | | |
| 0.4 | |
| |
|
Total
Investments in Securities | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
|
(Cost
$152,252,055) | |
$ | 179,248,508 | | |
| 100.9 | |
| |
|
Liabilities
in Excess of | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
|
Other
Assets | |
| (1,633,349) | | |
| (0.9 | ) |
| |
|
Net
Assets | |
$ | 177,615,159 | | |
| 100.0 | |
| (1) | Securities
with purchases pursuant to Rule 144A or section 4(a)(2), under the Securities Act of
1933 and may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. |
| (2) | Non-income
producing security. |
| (3) | For
fair value measurement disclosure purposes, security is categorized as Level 3, whose
value was determined using significant unobservable inputs. |
| (4) | Rate
shown is the 7-day yield as of February 29, 2024. |
Industry
Diversification | |
Percentage
of Net Assets |
Industrial
Machinery & Supplies & Components | |
| 8.5% |
Electric Utilities | |
| 6.3 |
Specialty Chemicals | |
| 5.8 |
Integrated Telecommunication
Services | |
| 5.8 |
Electrical Components
& Equipment | |
| 4.9 |
Industrial Conglomerates | |
| 4.9 |
Building Products | |
| 4.7 |
Trading Companies &
Distributors | |
| 4.5 |
Construction Machinery
& Heavy Transportation Equipment | |
| 3.9 |
Steel | |
| 3.4 |
Multi-Utilities | |
| 3.4 |
Communications Equipment | |
| 3.4 |
Aerospace & Defense | |
| 3.1 |
Rail Transportation | |
| 2.6 |
Electronic Equipment
& Instruments | |
| 2.4 |
Diversified Metals &
Mining | |
| 2.3 |
Wireless Telecommunication
Services | |
| 2.1 |
Construction & Engineering | |
| 2.0 |
Construction Materials | |
| 2.0 |
Oil & Gas Equipment
& Services | |
| 1.9 |
Commodity Chemicals | |
| 1.8 |
Highways & Railtracks | |
| 1.7 |
Multi-Sector Holdings | |
| 1.6 |
Industrial Gases | |
| 1.6 |
Oil & Gas Storage
& Transportation | |
| 1.4 |
Independent Power Producers
& Energy Traders | |
| 1.2 |
Air Freight & Logistics | |
| 1.2 |
Cargo Ground Transportation | |
| 1.2 |
Gold | |
| 1.1 |
Gas Utilities | |
| 1.1 |
Passenger Ground Transportation | |
| 1.0 |
Electronic Components | |
| 0.9 |
See
Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials |
PORTFOLIO
OF INVESTMENTS |
and Materials Fund |
as
of February 29, 2024 (continued) |
Diversified
Chemicals | |
| 0.8% |
Airport Services | |
| 0.7 |
Passenger Airlines | |
| 0.7 |
Paper Products | |
| 0.7 |
Electronic Manufacturing
Services | |
| 0.7 |
Agricultural & Farm
Machinery | |
| 0.5 |
Renewable Electricity | |
| 0.5 |
Copper | |
| 0.5 |
Forest Products | |
| 0.5 |
Fertilizers & Agricultural
Chemicals | |
| 0.4 |
Paper & Plastic Packaging
Products & Materials | |
| 0.2 |
Marine Transportation | |
| 0.2 |
Marine Ports & Services | |
| 0.1 |
Oil & Gas Drilling | |
| 0.1 |
Technology Distributors | |
| 0.1 |
Precious Metals &
Minerals | |
| 0.1 |
Liabilities in Excess
of Other Assets* | |
| (0.5) |
Net
Assets | |
| 100.0% |
| * | Includes
short-term investments. |
See
Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials |
PORTFOLIO
OF INVESTMENTS |
and Materials Fund |
as
of February 29, 2024 (continued) |
Fair
Value Measurements^
The
following is a summary of the fair valuations according to the inputs used as of February 29, 2024 in valuing the assets and liabilities:
| |
Quoted
Prices in Active Markets for Identical Investments (Level 1) | | |
Significant
Other Observable Inputs# (Level 2) | | |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | |
Fair
Value at February 29, 2024 | |
Asset
Table | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Investments,
at fair value | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Common Stock | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Australia | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 6,421,971 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 6,421,971 | |
Austria | |
| 183,254 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 183,254 | |
Brazil | |
| 2,184,262 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 2,184,262 | |
Canada | |
| 8,079,625 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 8,079,625 | |
China | |
| 778,206 | | |
| 4,475,886 | | |
| — | | |
| 5,254,092 | |
Denmark | |
| — | | |
| 309,373 | | |
| — | | |
| 309,373 | |
France | |
| — | | |
| 6,993,241 | | |
| — | | |
| 6,993,241 | |
Germany | |
| — | | |
| 9,072,528 | | |
| — | | |
| 9,072,528 | |
Greece | |
| — | | |
| 186,152 | | |
| — | | |
| 186,152 | |
Hong Kong | |
| 570,044 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 570,044 | |
India | |
| — | | |
| 3,330,882 | | |
| — | | |
| 3,330,882 | |
Indonesia | |
| — | | |
| 293,783 | | |
| — | | |
| 293,783 | |
Ireland | |
| 685,985 | | |
| 694,276 | | |
| — | | |
| 1,380,261 | |
Italy | |
| — | | |
| 351,904 | | |
| — | | |
| 351,904 | |
Japan | |
| — | | |
| 16,269,390 | | |
| — | | |
| 16,269,390 | |
Luxembourg | |
| — | | |
| 884,426 | | |
| — | | |
| 884,426 | |
Mexico | |
| 880,770 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 880,770 | |
Netherlands | |
| — | | |
| 251,030 | | |
| — | | |
| 251,030 | |
Norway | |
| 404,386 | | |
| 278,516 | | |
| — | | |
| 682,902 | |
Qatar | |
| 641,967 | | |
| 180,625 | | |
| — | | |
| 822,592 | |
Russia | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Saudi Arabia | |
| 592,680 | | |
| 932,122 | | |
| — | | |
| 1,524,802 | |
Singapore | |
| — | | |
| 1,468,843 | | |
| — | | |
| 1,468,843 | |
South Africa | |
| — | | |
| 175,214 | | |
| — | | |
| 175,214 | |
South Korea | |
| — | | |
| 2,527,008 | | |
| — | | |
| 2,527,008 | |
Spain | |
| — | | |
| 4,155,867 | | |
| — | | |
| 4,155,867 | |
Sweden | |
| — | | |
| 5,038,381 | | |
| — | | |
| 5,038,381 | |
Switzerland | |
| — | | |
| 4,609,709 | | |
| — | | |
| 4,609,709 | |
Taiwan | |
| — | | |
| 2,596,523 | | |
| — | | |
| 2,596,523 | |
Thailand | |
| — | | |
| 402,559 | | |
| — | | |
| 402,559 | |
Turkey | |
| 184,649 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 184,649 | |
United Kingdom | |
| 2,159,606 | | |
| 4,374,637 | | |
| — | | |
| 6,534,243 | |
United States | |
| 81,283,628 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 81,283,628 | |
Total Common Stock | |
| 98,629,062 | | |
| 76,274,846 | | |
| — | | |
| 174,903,908 | |
Exchange-Traded Funds | |
| 2,922,956 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 2,922,956 | |
Preferred Stock | |
| 631,644 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 631,644 | |
Short-Term Investments | |
| 790,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 790,000 | |
Total Investments, at
fair value | |
$ | 102,973,662 | | |
$ | 76,274,846 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 179,248,508 | |
Liabilities
Table | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Other
Financial Instruments+ | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Written Options | |
$ | — | | |
$ | (1,069,389) | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | (1,069,389) | |
Total Liabilities | |
$ | — | | |
$ | (1,069,389) | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | (1,069,389) | |
| ^ | See
Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Financial Statements
for additional information. |
| # | The
earlier close of the foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant
events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially
affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund may frequently value
many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor
modeling tools to the extent available. Accordingly, a portion of the Fund’s investments
are categorized as Level 2 investments. |
| + | Other
Financial Instruments may include open forward foreign currency contracts, futures, centrally
cleared swaps, OTC swaps and written options. Forward foreign currency contracts, futures
and centrally cleared swaps are fair valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on the instrument. OTC swaps and written options are valued at the fair value of the
instrument. |
See
Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials |
PORTFOLIO
OF INVESTMENTS |
and Materials Fund |
as
of February 29, 2024 (continued) |
At
February 29, 2024, the following OTC written equity options were outstanding for Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials
Fund:
Description | |
Counterparty | |
Put/
Call | |
Expiration
Date | |
| |
Exercise
Price | |
Number of Contracts | |
| |
Notional
Amount | | |
Premiums
Received | | |
Fair
Value | |
Industrial
Select Sector SPDR Fund | |
UBS AG | |
Call | |
03/28/24 | |
USD | |
121.000 | |
173,553 | |
USD | |
20,999,913 | | |
$ | 292,524 | | |
$ | (292,524) | |
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | |
UBS AG | |
Call | |
03/14/24 | |
USD | |
75.950 | |
362,080 | |
USD | |
27,970,680 | | |
| 448,508 | | |
| (608,865) | |
iShares MSCI Emerging
Markets ETF | |
UBS AG | |
Call | |
03/14/24 | |
USD | |
39.890 | |
195,537 | |
USD | |
7,819,524 | | |
| 145,167 | | |
| (99,743) | |
Materials Select Sector | |
Goldman Sachs | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
SPDR Fund | |
International | |
Call | |
03/28/24 | |
USD | |
87.560 | |
55,962 | |
USD | |
4,900,033 | | |
| 68,257 | | |
| (68,257) | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
$ | 954,456 | | |
$ | (1,069,389) | |
Currency
Abbreviations:
USD
— United States Dollar
A
summary of derivative instruments by primary risk exposure is outlined in the following tables.
The
fair value of derivative instruments as of February 29, 2024 was as follows:
Derivatives
not accounted for as hedging instruments
Liability Derivatives | |
Location
on Statement
of Assets and Liabilities | |
Fair
Value | |
Equity
contracts | |
Written
options, at fair value | |
$ | 1,069,389 | |
Total
Liability Derivatives | |
| |
$ | 1,069,389 | |
The
effect of derivative instruments on the Fund's Statement of Operations for the year ended February 29, 2024 was as follows:
Amount
of Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
| |
Written | |
Derivatives
not accounted for as hedging instruments | |
options | |
Equity
contracts | |
$ | (774,985) | |
Total | |
$ | (774,985) | |
Change
in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
| |
Written | |
Derivatives
not accounted for as hedging instruments | |
options | |
Equity
contracts | |
$ | (1,319,770) | |
Total | |
$ | (1,319,770) | |
The
following is a summary by counterparty of the fair value of OTC derivative instruments subject to Master Netting Agreements and
collateral pledged (received), if any, at February 29, 2024:
| |
Goldman | | |
| | |
| |
| |
Sachs | | |
| | |
| |
| |
International | | |
UBS
AG | | |
Total | |
Liabilities: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Written
options | |
$ | 68,257 | | |
$ | 1,001,132 | | |
$ | 1,069,389 | |
Total
Liabilities | |
$ | 68,257 | | |
$ | 1,001,132 | | |
$ | 1,069,389 | |
Net
OTC derivative instruments by counterparty, at fair value | |
$ | (68,257) | | |
$ | (1,001,132) | | |
$ | (1,069,389) | |
Total
collateral pledged by the Fund/(Received from counterparty) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | – | |
Net
Exposure(1) | |
$ | (68,257) | | |
$ | (1,001,132) | | |
$ | (1,069,389) | |
See
Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials |
PORTFOLIO
OF INVESTMENTS |
and Materials Fund |
as
of February 29, 2024 (continued) |
| (1) | Positive
net exposure represents amounts due from each respective counterparty. Negative exposure
represents amounts due from the Fund. Please refer to Note 2 for additional details regarding
counterparty credit risk and credit related contingent features. |
At
February 29, 2024, the aggregate cost of securities and other investments and the composition of unrealized appreciation and depreciation
of securities and other investments on a tax basis were:
Cost for federal income tax purposes was $151,789,912. | |
| |
Net unrealized appreciation consisted of: | |
| |
Gross Unrealized
Appreciation | |
$ | 32,514,668 | |
Gross Unrealized Depreciation | |
| (6,126,594) | |
Net Unrealized Appreciation | |
$ | 26,388,074 | |
See
Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
TAX
INFORMATION (Unaudited)
Dividends
and distributions paid during the tax year ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:
Fund
Name |
|
Type |
|
Per
Share Amount |
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund |
|
NII |
|
$0.2324 |
|
|
LTCG |
|
$0.2180 |
|
|
ROC |
|
$0.4656 |
NII
— Net investment income
LTCG
— Long-term capital gain
ROC
— Return of capital
Of
the ordinary distributions made during the tax year ended December 31, 2023, 39.12% qualifies for the dividends received deduction
(DRD) available to corporate shareholders.
For
the tax year ended December 31, 2023, 100.00% of ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund are designated as qualifying dividend
income (QDI) subject to reduced income tax rates for individuals.
For
the tax year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund designates $3,354,486 of long-term capital gain distributions as 20% rate long-term
capital gain dividends under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(3)(C).
Pursuant
to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund designates the following amounts as foreign taxes paid for the tax year
ended December 31, 2023:
Creditable |
|
|
|
Portion
of Ordinary Income |
Foreign |
|
Per
Share |
|
Derived
from Foreign |
Taxes
Paid |
|
Amount |
|
Sourced
Income* |
$424,922 |
|
$0.0280 |
|
66.20% |
| * | None
of the Fund’s income was derived from ineligible foreign sources as defined under Section 901(j) of the Internal Revenue
Code. |
Foreign
taxes paid or withheld should be included in taxable income with an offsetting deduction from gross income or as a credit for
taxes paid to foreign governments. Shareholders are strongly advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the appropriate
treatment of foreign taxes paid.
Above
figures may differ from those cited elsewhere in this report due to differences in the calculation of income and gains under U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles (book) purposes and Internal Revenue Service (tax) purposes.
Shareholders
are strongly advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investments in the Fund.
In January, shareholders, excluding corporate shareholders, receive an IRS 1099-DIV regarding the federal tax status of the dividends
and distributions they received in the calendar year.
SHAREHOLDER
MEETING INFORMATION (Unaudited)
Proposal:
| 1 | At
this meeting, a proposal was submitted to elect two members of the Board of Trustees
to represent the interests of the holders of the Fund, with these individuals to serve
as Class II Trustees, for a term of three years, and until the election and qualification
of their successors. |
An
annual shareholder meeting of Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund was held virtually on July 13, 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
voted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
against
or |
|
Shares |
|
Broker |
|
Total
Shares |
|
|
|
|
Proposal |
|
Shares
voted for |
|
withheld |
|
abstained |
|
non-vote |
|
Voted |
Class
II Trustees |
|
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and
Materials Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Martin
J. Gavin |
|
1* |
|
11,703,628.368 |
|
850,375.000 |
|
0.000 |
|
0.000 |
|
12,554,003.368 |
|
|
Joseph
E. Obermeyer |
|
1* |
|
11,628,633.368 |
|
925,370.000 |
|
0.000 |
|
0.000 |
|
12,554,003.368 |
After
the July 13, 2023 annual shareholder meeting, the following Trustees continued on as Trustees of the Trust: Colleen D. Baldwin,
John V. Boyer, Patricia Chadwick*, Sheryl K. Pressler, and Christopher P. Sullivan.
| * | Retired
from the Board upon the close of business on December 31, 2023. |
TRUSTEE
AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited)
The
business and affairs of the Trust are managed under the direction of the Board. A Trustee, who is not an interested person of
the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, is an independent trustee (“Independent Trustee”). The Trustees and Officers
of the Trust are listed below. The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about Trustees of the Trust
and is available, without charge, upon request at (800) 992-0180.
Name,
Address and Age |
|
Position(s)
Held
with the
Trust
|
|
Term
of Office and
Length
of Time
Served(1)
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
–
During
the Past 5 Years
|
|
Number
of
funds
in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by
Trustee(2)
|
|
Other
Board Positions
Held
by Trustee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent
Trustees: |
|
Colleen
D. Baldwin
(1960)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Chairperson
Trustee
|
|
January
2020-Present
October
2007–Present
|
|
President,
Glantuam Partners, LLC, a business consulting firm (January 2009–Present). |
|
138
|
|
Stanley
Global Engineering 2020–Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John
V. Boyer
(1953)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Trustee
|
|
February
2005–Present |
|
Retired.
Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bechtler Arts Foundation, an arts and education foundation (January 2008–December 2019). |
|
138
|
|
None.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Martin
J. Gavin
(1950)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
AZ 85258
|
|
Trustee
|
|
August
2015–Present |
|
Retired.
|
|
138
|
|
None.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph
E. Obermeyer
(1957)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Trustee
|
|
May
2013–Present |
|
President,
Obermeyer & Associates, Inc., a provider of financial and economic consulting services (November 1999–Present).
|
|
138
|
|
None.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sheryl
K. Pressler
(1950)
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
|
|
Trustee
|
|
January
2006–Present |
|
Consultant
(May
2001–Present).
|
|
138
|
|
Centerra
Gold Inc. (May 2008–Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher
P. Sullivan
(1954)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Trustee
|
|
October
2015–Present |
|
Retired.
|
|
138
|
|
None.
|
TRUSTEE
AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
| (1) | Trustees
serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The tenure of each Trustee
who is not an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act, of each Fund
(“Independent Trustee”) is subject to the Board’s retirement policy
which states that each duly elected or appointed Independent Trustee shall retire from
and cease to be a member of the Board of Trustees at the close of business on December
31 of the calendar year in which the Independent Trustee attains the age of 75. A majority
vote of the Board’s other Independent Trustees may extend the retirement date of
an Independent Trustee if the retirement would trigger a requirement to hold a meeting
of shareholders of the Trust under applicable law, whether for the purposes of appointing
a successor to the Independent Trustee or otherwise comply under applicable law, in which
case the extension would apply until such time as the shareholder meeting can be held
or is no longer required (as determined by a vote of a majority of the other Independent
Trustees). |
| (2) | For
the purposes of this table, “Fund Complex” means the Voya family of funds
including the following investment companies: Voya Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity
Income Fund; Voya Balanced Portfolio, Inc.; Voya Credit Income Fund; Voya Emerging Markets
High Dividend Equity Fund; Voya Equity Trust; Voya Funds Trust; Voya Global Advantage
and Premium Opportunity Fund; Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund;
Voya Government Money Market Portfolio; Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials
Fund; Voya Intermediate Bond Portfolio; Voya Investors Trust; Voya Mutual Funds; Voya
Partners, Inc.; Voya Separate Portfolios Trust; Voya Strategic Allocation Portfolios,
Inc.; Voya Variable Funds; Voya Variable Insurance Trust; Voya Variable Portfolios, Inc.;
and Voya Variable Products Trust. The number of funds in the Fund Complex is as of March
31, 2024. |
TRUSTEE
AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
Name,
Address and Age |
|
Position(s)
Held
with the
Trust
|
|
Term
of Office and
Length
of Time
Served(1)
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s) – During the Past 5 Years |
Andy
Simonoff
(1973)
5780
Powers Ferry
Road
NW Atlanta, Georgia 30327
|
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer |
|
January
2023-Present |
|
Director,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Voya Funds Services, LLC, Voya Capital, LLC and Voya Investments, LLC (January 2023
– Present); Managing Director, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Voya Investment Management (January 2020 –
Present). Formerly, Managing Director, Head of Business Management, Voya Investment Management (March 2019 –
January 2020); Managing Director, Head of Business Management, Fixed Income, Voya Investment Management (November 2015 –
March 2019). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jonathan
Nash
(1967)
230
Park Avenue
New
York, New York 10169
|
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Investment Risk Officer |
|
March
2020–Present |
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Investment Risk Officer, Voya Investments, LLC (March 2020 – Present); Senior Vice President,
Investment Risk Management, Voya Investment Management (March 2017 – Present). Formerly, Vice President, Voya Investments,
LLC (September 2018 – March 2020). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven
Hartstein
(1963)
230
Park Avenue
New
York, New York 10169
|
|
Chief
Compliance Officer |
|
December
2022-Present |
|
Senior
Vice President, Voya Investment Management (December 2022 – Present). Formerly, Head of Funds Compliance, Brighthouse
Financial, Inc. and Chief Compliance Officer – Brighthouse Funds and Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC (March 2017-
December 2022). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Todd
Modic
(1967)
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Senior
Vice President, Chief/ Principal Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary |
|
May
2005–Present |
|
Director
and Senior Vice President, Voya Capital, LLC, and Voya Funds Services, LLC (September 2022 – Present); Director, Voya
Investments, LLC (September 2022 – Present); Senior Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC (April 2005 – Present).
Formerly, President, Voya Funds Services, LLC (March 2018 – September 2022). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kimberly
A. Anderson
(1964)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Senior
Vice President |
|
January
2005-Present |
|
Senior
Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC (September 2003 – Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sara
M. Donaldson
(1959)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Senior
Vice President |
|
June
2022–Present |
|
Senior
Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC (February 2022 – Present); Senior Vice President, Head of Active Ownership, Voya
Investment Management (September 2021 – Present). Formerly, Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC (October 2015 –
February 2022); Vice President, Head of Proxy Voting, Voya Investment Management (October 2015 – August 2021). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jason
Kadavy
(1976)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Senior
Vice President |
|
September
2023-Present |
|
Senior
Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC and Voya Funds Services, LLC (September 2023 – Present); Formerly, Vice President,
Voya Investments, LLC (October 2015 - September 2023); Vice President, Voya Funds Services, LLC (July 2007 – September
2023). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew
K. Schlueter
(1976)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Senior
Vice President |
|
June
2022-Present |
|
Senior
Vice President, Head of Investment Operations Support, Voya Investment Management (April 2023 – Present); Vice President,
Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (April 2018 – Present); Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC and Voya Funds Services,
LLC (March 2018-Present); Formerly, Vice President, Head of Mutual Fund Operations, Voya Investment Management (March 2022
– March 2023); Vice President, Head of Mutual Fund Operations, Voya Investment Management (February 2018 – February
2022). |
TRUSTEE
AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
Name,
Address and Age |
|
Position(s)
Held
with the
Trust
|
|
Term
of Office and
Length
of Time
Served(1)
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s) – During the Past 5 Years |
Joanne
F. Osberg
(1982)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Senior
Vice President Secretary |
|
March
2023-Present September 2020-Present |
|
Senior
Vice President and Chief Counsel, Voya Investment Management – Mutual Fund Legal Department, Senior Vice President and
Secretary, Voya Investments, LLC, Voya Capital, LLC, and Voya Funds Services, LLC (March 2023 – Present). Formerly,
Secretary, Voya Capital, LLC (August 2022 - March 2023); Vice President and Secretary, Voya Investments, LLC and Voya Funds
Services, LLC, Vice President and Senior Counsel, Voya Investment Management – Mutual Fund Legal Department (September
2020 – March 2023). Vice President and Counsel, Voya Investment Management – Mutual Fund Legal Department (January
2013 – September 2020). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
Terris
(1970)
5780
Powers Ferry Road NW
Atlanta,
Georgia 30327
|
|
Senior
Vice President |
|
May
2006-Present |
|
Senior
Vice President, Head of Future State Operating Model Design, Voya Investment Management (April 2023 – Present); Senior
Vice President, Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (April 2018 – Present); Senior Vice President, Head of Investment
Services, Voya Investments, LLC (April 2018 – Present); Senior Vice President, Head of Investment Services, Voya Funds
Services, LLC (March 2006 – Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fred
Bedoya
(1973)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Vice
President Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer |
|
September
2012-Present |
|
Vice
President, Voya Investments, LLC (October 2015 – Present); Vice President, Voya Funds Services, LLC (July 2012 –
Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robyn
L. Ichilov
(1967)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Vice
President |
|
January
2005–Present |
|
Vice
President, Voya Investments, LLC (August 1997 – Present); Vice President, Voya Funds Services, LLC (November 1995 –
Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Erica
McKenna
(1972)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Vice
President |
|
June
2022-Present |
|
Vice
President, Head of Mutual Fund Compliance, and Chief Compliance Officer, Voya Investments, LLC (May 2022 – Present).
Formerly, Vice President, Fund Compliance Manager, Voya Investments, LLC (March 2021 – May 2022); Assistant Vice President,
Fund Compliance Manager, Voya Investments, LLC (December 2016 – March 2021). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig
Wheeler
(1969)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Vice
President |
|
May
2013-Present |
|
Vice
President–Director of Tax, Voya Investments, LLC (October 2015–Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Freddee
McGough
(1965)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Assistant
Vice President |
|
November
2019-Present |
|
Assistant
Vice President, Voya Investment Management (September 2001–Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nicholas
C.D. Ward
(1993)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Assistant
Vice President and Assistant Secretary |
|
June
2022-Present |
|
Counsel,
Voya Investment Management – Mutual Fund Legal Department (November 2021 – Present). Formerly, Associate, Dechert
LLP (October 2018 – November 2021). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gizachew
Wubishet
(1976)
7337
East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite
100
Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258
|
|
Assistant
Vice President and Assistant Secretary |
|
June
2022-Present |
|
Assistant
Vice President and Counsel, Voya Investment Management – Mutual Fund Legal Department (May 2019 – Present). Formerly,
Attorney, Ropes & Gray LLP (October 2011 – April 2019). |
TRUSTEE
AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
Name,
Address and Age |
|
Position(s)
Held
with the
Trust
|
|
Term
of Office and
Length
of Time
Served(1)
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s) – During the Past 5 Years |
Monia
Piacenti
(1976)
One
Orange Way
Windsor,
Connecticut 06095
|
|
Anti-Money
Laundering Officer |
|
June
2018-Present |
|
Compliance
Manager, Voya Financial, Inc. (March 2023 – Present); Anti-Money Laundering Officer, Voya Investments Distributor, LLC,
Voya Investment Management and Voya Investment Management Trust Co. (June 2018 – Present). Formerly, Compliance Consultant,
Voya Financial, Inc. (January 2019 – February 2023). |
| (1) | The
Officers hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board of Trustees and until their successors shall have been elected
and qualified. |
ADVISORY
AND SUB-ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (Unaudited)
BOARD
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT AND SUB-ADVISORY CONTRACT
At
a meeting held on November 16, 2023, the Board of Trustees (“Board”) of Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials
Fund (the “Fund”), including a majority of the Board members who have no direct or indirect interest in the investment
management and sub-advisory contracts, and who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as such term is defined under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), considered and approved the renewal of
the investment management contract (the “Management Contract”) between Voya Investments, LLC (the “Manager”)
and the Fund, and the sub-advisory contract (the “Sub-Advisory Contract,” and together with the Management Contract,
the “Contracts”) with Voya Investment Management Co. LLC, the sub-adviser to the Fund (the “Sub-Adviser”),
for an additional one-year period ending November 30, 2024.
In
addition to the Board meeting on November 16, 2023, the Independent Trustees also held meetings outside the presence of representatives
of the Manager and Sub-Adviser (collectively, such persons are referred to herein as “management”) on October 9, 2023
and November 14, 2023. At those meetings, the Board members reviewed and considered materials related to the proposed continuance
of the Contracts that they had requested and believed to be relevant to the renewal of the Contracts in light of their own business
judgment and the legal advice furnished to them by K&L Gates LLP, their independent legal counsel. The Board also considered
information furnished to it throughout the year at meetings of the Board and its committees, including information regarding performance,
expenses, and other relevant matters. While the Board considered the renewal of the management contracts and sub-advisory contracts
for all of the applicable investment companies in the Voya family of funds at the same meetings, the Board considered each Voya
fund’s investment management and sub-advisory relationships separately.
The
Board has established a Contracts Committee and two Investment Review Committees (the “IRCs”), each of which includes
only Independent Trustees as members. The Contracts Committee meets several times throughout the year to provide oversight with
respect to the management and sub-advisory contracts approval and renewal process for the Voya funds, among other functions, and
each IRC meets several times throughout the year with respect to each Voya fund (assigned to that IRC) to provide oversight regarding
the investment performance of the sub-advisers, as well as the Manager’s role in monitoring the sub-advisers.
The
Contracts Committee oversees, and annually recommends Board approval of updates to, a methodology
guide
for the Voya funds (“Methodology Guide”), which sets out a framework pursuant to which the Independent Trustees request,
and management provides, certain information that the Independent Trustees deem to be important or potentially relevant to the
contracts renewal process for the Voya funds. The Independent Trustees retain the services of an independent consultant with experience
in the registered fund industry to assist the Contracts Committee in developing and recommending to the Board: (1) a selected
peer group of investment companies for the Fund (“Selected Peer Group”) based on the Fund’s particular attributes;
and (2) updates to the Methodology Guide with respect to the content and format of various data prepared in connection with the
renewal process. In addition, the Independent Trustees periodically have retained an independent firm to test and verify the accuracy
of certain information presented to the Board for a representative sample of the Voya funds.
The
Manager or Sub-Adviser may not have been able to, or opted not to, provide information in response to certain information requests,
in which case the Board conducted its evaluation based on the information that was provided. In such cases, the omission of any
such information was determined to not be material to the Board’s considerations.
Provided
below is an overview of certain material factors that the Board considered at its meetings regarding the renewal of the Contracts
and the compensation to be paid thereunder. The Board members did not identify any particular information or factor that was most
relevant to its consideration.
Nature,
Extent and Quality of Services
The
Manager oversees, subject to the authority of the Board, and is responsible for the provision of, all investment advisory and
portfolio management services for the Fund, but may delegate certain of these responsibilities to one or more sub-advisers. In
addition, the Manager provides administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund as set forth in the
Management Contract, including oversight of the Fund’s operations and risk management and the oversight of its various other
service providers.
The
Board considered the “manager-of-managers” structure of the Voya funds that has been developed by the Manager pursuant
to which the Manager selects, subject to the Board’s approval, sub-advisers to provide day-to-day management services to
all or a portion of each Voya fund. The Board recognized that the Manager is responsible for monitoring the Sub-Adviser’s
investment program, performance, developments, ongoing operations, and compliance with applicable regulations and investment policies
and restrictions with respect to the Fund under this manager-of-managers arrangement. The Board also
ADVISORY
AND SUB-ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (Unaudited) (continued)
considered
the techniques and resources that the Manager has developed to provide this ongoing due diligence and oversight with respect to
the sub-advisers and to recommend appropriate changes in investment strategies, sub-advisers, or allocation among sub-advisers
in an effort to improve a Voya fund’s performance. In connection with the Manager’s performance of these duties, the
Board considered that the Manager has developed an oversight process formulated by its Manager Research & Selection Group
that reviews, among other matters, performance data, the Sub-Adviser’s management team, portfolio data and attribution analysis
related to the Sub-Adviser through various means, including, but not limited to, in-person meetings, on-site or virtual visits,
and telephonic meetings with the Sub-Adviser. The Board also noted that the Manager actively monitors any discount from net asset
value per share at which the Fund’s common stock trades and evaluates potential ways to mitigate the discount and potential
impacts on the discount, including the level of distributions that the Fund pays.
Further,
the Board considered periodic compliance reports it receives from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer evaluating, among
other related matters, whether the regulatory compliance systems and procedures of the Manager and Sub-Adviser are reasonably
designed to ensure compliance with the federal securities laws and whether the investment policies and restrictions for the Fund
are complied with on a consistent basis.
The
Board considered the portfolio management team assigned by the Sub-Adviser to the Fund and the level of resources committed to
the Fund (and other relevant funds in the Voya funds) by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, and whether those resources are sufficient
to provide high-quality services to the Fund.
Based
on their deliberations and the materials presented to them, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the overall
services provided by the Manager and Sub-Adviser under the Contracts were appropriate.
Fund
Performance
In
assessing the investment management and sub-advisory relationships, the Board placed emphasis on the investment returns of the
Fund including its investment performance over certain time periods compared to the Fund’s Morningstar, Inc. (an independent
provider of registered fund data) category and primary benchmark, a broad-based securities market index, as well as the hypothetical
model performance of the Fund’s options overlay strategy applied to the Fund’s primary benchmark during different
market conditions. The Board also considered information from the Manager Research & Selection Group and received reports
summarizing a separate analysis of the Fund’s performance and risk,
including
risk-adjusted investment return information, from the Fund’s Chief Investment Risk Officer.
The
Board also recognized the limitations inherent in comparing the Fund’s performance to a benchmark index due to the Fund’s
pursuit of an investment strategy that is not tied directly to an index. The Board also recognized the inherent limitations in
comparing performance of peer funds utilizing leverage in light of, among other things, the impacts due to the level and type
of leverage utilized and when peer funds entered into their leverage arrangements (which can impact pricing and, therefore, cost
and performance).
Economies
of Scale
When
evaluating the reasonableness of the management fee schedule, the Board considered whether economies of scale have been or likely
will be realized by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser as the Fund grows larger and the extent to which any such economies are shared
with the Fund. The Board noted that the Fund, as a closed-end fund, generally does not issue new shares and is less likely to
realize economies of scale from additional share purchases. The Board considered that, while the Fund does not have management
fee breakpoints, it has fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements. The Board considered the extent to which economies
of scale realized by the Manager could be shared with the Fund through such fee waivers, expense reimbursements or other expense
reductions.
Information
Regarding Services, Performance, and Fee Schedules Offered to Other Clients
The
Board considered comparative information regarding the nature of services, performance, and fee schedules offered by the Manager
and Sub-Adviser to other clients with similar investment objectives, if applicable, including other registered investment companies
and relevant institutional accounts. When the fee schedules offered to or the performance of such other clients differed materially
from the Fund, the Board took into account the underlying rationale provided by the Manager or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, for
these differences.
Fee
Schedules, Profitability, and Fall-out Benefits
The
Board reviewed and considered the contractual management fee schedule and net management fee rate payable by the Fund to the Manager
compared to the Fund’s Selected Peer Group. The Board also considered the compensation payable by the Manager to the Sub-Adviser
for sub-advisory services for the Fund, including the portion of the contractual and net management fee rates that are paid to
the Sub-Adviser, as compared to the compensation paid to the Manager. In addition, the Board considered the fee waivers, expense
limitations, and
ADVISORY
AND SUB-ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (Unaudited) (continued)
recoupment
arrangements that apply to the fees payable by the Fund, including whether the Manager proposed any changes thereto. The Board
separately determined that the fees payable to the Manager and the fee schedule payable to the Sub-Adviser are reasonable for
the services that each performs, which were considered in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services that each has
performed and is expected to perform.
The
Board considered information on revenues, costs and profits or losses realized by the Manager and the Voya-affiliated Sub-Adviser
related to their services to the Fund. In analyzing the profitability of the Manager and its affiliates in connection with services
they render to a Fund, the Board took into account the sub-advisory fee rate payable by the Manager to the Sub-Adviser. The Board
also considered the profitability of the Manager and its affiliated Sub-Adviser attributable to servicing the Fund both with and
without taking into account the profitability of the distributor of the Fund and any revenue sharing payments made by the Manager.
Although
the Methodology Guide establishes a framework for profit calculation by the Manager and its affiliated Sub-Adviser, the Board
recognized that there is no uniform methodology within the asset management industry for determining profitability for this purpose.
The Board also recognized that the use of different reasonable methodologies can give rise to dramatically different reported
profit and loss results with respect to the Manager and the Voya-affiliated Sub-Adviser, as well as other industry participants
with whom the profits of the Manager and its affiliated Sub-Adviser could be compared. In addition, the Board recognized that
management’s calculations regarding its costs incurred in establishing the infrastructure necessary for the Fund’s
operations may not be fully reflected in the expenses allocated to the Fund in determining profitability. The Board also recognized
that the information presented may not portray all of the costs borne by the Manager or reflect all of the risks associated with
offering and managing a registered fund complex in the current regulatory and market environment, including entrepreneurial, regulatory,
legal and operational risks. The Board also considered that, in comparison to certain other products managed by the Manager, including
open-end funds, there are additional portfolio management challenges in managing closed-end funds, such as the Fund, including
those associated with less liquid holdings.
The
Board also considered that the Manager and the Voya-affiliated Sub-Adviser are entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits
for the services that they provide to the Fund. The Board also considered information regarding the potential fall-out benefits
to the Manager and Sub-Adviser and their respective affiliates from their association with the Fund. Following its reviews, the
Board determined
that
the Manager’s and the Voya-affiliated Sub-Adviser’s profitability with respect to their services to the Fund and the
Manager and Sub-Adviser’s potential fall-out benefits were not unreasonable.
Fund
Analysis
Set
forth below are certain of the specific factors that the Board considered at its October 9, 2023, November 14, 2023, and/or November
16, 2023 meetings in relation to approving the Fund’s Contracts and the conclusions reached by the Board. These specific
factors are in addition to those considerations discussed above. The performance data provided to the Board primarily was for
various periods ended March 31, 2023. In addition, the Board also considered at its October 9, 2023, November 14, 2023, and/or
November 16, 2023 meetings certain additional data regarding the Fund’s more recent performance and asset levels. The Fund’s
management fee rate and expense ratio were compared to the management fee rates and expense ratios of the funds in its Selected
Peer Group. With respect to the quintile rankings noted below, the first quintile represents the range of funds with the highest
performance or the lowest management fee rate or expense ratio, as applicable, and the fifth quintile represents the range of
funds with the lowest performance or the highest management fee rate or expense ratio, as applicable.
In
considering whether to approve the renewal of the Contracts for the Fund, the Board was provided with information showing that
the Fund seeks to construct a diversified portfolio with an options overlay that is intended to enhance returns over a full market
cycle, but may lag the broader markets during upswings, and reviewed the difference between the Fund’s performance and the
hypothetical model performance of the Fund’s options overlay strategy applied to the Fund’s primary benchmark during
different market conditions. The Board also considered that, based on performance data for the periods ended March 31, 2023: (1)
the Fund is ranked in the second quintile of its Morningstar category for the one-year period, the third quintile for the three-year
period, the fourth quintile for the year-to-date and ten-year periods, and the fifth quintile for the five-year period; and (2)
the Fund underperformed its primary benchmark for all periods presented, with the exception of the one-year period, during which
it outperformed. In analyzing this performance data, the Board took into account management’s representations regarding
the impact of security selection and the Fund’s options overlay on its performance during certain periods.
In
considering the fees payable under the Contracts for the Fund, the Board took into account the factors described above and also
considered: (1) the fairness of the compensation under a Management Contract with
ADVISORY
AND SUB-ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (Unaudited) (continued)
a
level fee rate that does not include breakpoints; and (2) the pricing structure (including the net expense ratio to be borne by
shareholders) of the Fund, as compared to its Selected Peer Group, including that: (a) the net management fee rate for the Fund
is ranked in the first quintile of net management fee rates of the funds in its Selected Peer Group; (b) the contractual management
fee rate for the Fund is ranked in the first quintile of contractual management fee rates of the funds in its Selected Peer Group;
and (c) the net expense ratio for the Fund is ranked in the first quintile of net expense ratios of the funds in its Selected
Peer Group.
Board
Conclusions
After
its deliberation, the Board concluded that, in its business judgment, the terms of the Contracts are fair and reasonable to the
Fund and that approval of the continuation of the Contracts is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. In doing
so, the Board reviewed all factors it considered to be material, including those discussed above. Within the context of its overall
conclusions regarding the Contracts, and based on the information provided and management’s related representations, the
Board concluded that it was satisfied with management’s responses relating to the Fund’s investment performance and
the fees payable under the Contracts. During this renewal process, each Board member may have accorded different weight to various
factors in reaching his or her conclusions. Based on these conclusions and other factors, the Board voted to renew the Contracts
for the Fund for the year ending November 30, 2024.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION — PRINCIPAL RISKS (Unaudited)
Principal
Risks
You
could lose money on an investment in the Fund. Any of the following risks, among others, could affect Fund performance or cause
the Fund to lose money or to underperform market averages of other funds. The principal risks are presented in alphabetical order
to facilitate readability, and their order does not imply that the realization of one risk is more likely to occur or have a greater
adverse impact than another risk.
Company:
The price of a company’s stock could decline or underperform for many reasons including, among others, poor management,
financial problems, reduced demand for company goods or services, regulatory fines and judgments, or business challenges. If a
company declares bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, its stock could become worthless.
Currency:
To the extent that the Fund invests directly or indirectly in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or in securities denominated in,
or that trade in, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, it is subject to the risk that those foreign (non-U.S.) currencies will decline
in value relative to the U.S. dollar or, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative
to the currency being hedged by the Fund through foreign currency exchange transactions. Currency rates may fluctuate significantly
over short periods of time. Currency rates may be affected by changes in market interest rates, intervention (or the failure to
intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, by
the imposition of currency controls, or other political or economic developments in the United States or abroad.
Derivative
instruments: Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks, including the risk of changes in the market price of
the underlying asset, reference rate, or index credit risk with respect to the counterparty, risk of loss due to changes in market
interest rates, liquidity risk, valuation risk, and volatility risk. The amounts required to purchase certain derivatives may
be small relative to the magnitude of exposure assumed by the Fund. Therefore, the purchase of certain derivatives may have an
economic leveraging effect on the Fund and exaggerate any increase or decrease in the net asset value. Derivatives may not perform
as expected, so the Fund may not realize the intended benefits. When used for hedging purposes, the change in value of a derivative
may not correlate as expected with the asset, reference rate, or index being hedged. When used as an alternative or substitute
for direct cash investment, the return provided by the derivative may not provide the same return as direct cash investment. Generally,
derivatives are sophisticated financial instruments whose performance is derived, at
least
in part, from the performance of an underlying asset, reference rate, or index. Derivatives include, among other things, swap
agreements, options, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and futures. Certain derivatives in which the Fund may invest
may be negotiated over-the-counter with a single counterparty and as a result are subject to credit risks related to the counterparty’s
ability or willingness to perform its obligations; any deterioration in the counterparty’s creditworthiness could adversely
affect the value of the derivative. In addition, derivatives and their underlying instruments may experience periods of illiquidity
which could cause the Fund to hold a position it might otherwise sell, or to sell a position it otherwise might hold at an inopportune
time or price. A manager might imperfectly judge the direction of the market. For instance, if a derivative is used as a hedge
to offset investment risk in another security, the hedge might not correlate to the market’s movements and may have unexpected
or undesired results such as a loss or a reduction in gains. The U.S. government has enacted legislation that provides for regulation
of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting, and registration requirements. The European Union (and other
jurisdictions outside of the European Union, including the United Kingdom) has implemented or is in the process of implementing
similar requirements, which may affect the Fund when it enters into a derivatives transaction with a counterparty organized in
that jurisdiction or otherwise subject to that jurisdiction’s derivatives regulations. Because these requirements are relatively
new and evolving (and some of the rules are not yet final), their ultimate impact remains unclear. Central clearing is expected
to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity; however, there is no assurance that it will achieve that result, and,
in the meantime, central clearing and related requirements expose the Fund to different kinds of costs and risks.
Dividend:
Companies that issue dividend yielding equity securities are not required to continue to pay dividends on such securities.
Therefore, there is the possibility that such companies could reduce or eliminate the payment of dividends in the future. As a
result, the Fund’s ability to execute its investment strategy may be limited.
Environmental,
Social and/or Governance: The Sub-Adviser’s consideration of ESG factors in selecting investments for the Fund depends
on the operation of quantitative methods and models whose design reflects qualitative and subjective judgments of the Sub-Adviser,
including reliance on, or incorporation of, data in respect of ESG factors that may rely on third-party data that might be incorrect
or based on incomplete or inaccurate information. There is no minimum percentage of the Fund's assets that will be invested in
companies that the Sub-Adviser views favorably in light of ESG factors, and the Sub-Adviser may
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION — PRINCIPAL RISKS (Unaudited) (continued)
not
invest in companies that compare favorably to other companies on the basis of ESG factors. It is possible that the Fund will have
less exposure to certain companies due to the Sub-Adviser’s assessment of ESG factors than other comparable mutual funds.
There can be no assurance that an investment selected by the Sub-Adviser, which includes its consideration of ESG factors, will
provide more favorable investment performance than another potential investment, and such an investment may, in fact, underperform
other potential investments.
Focused
Investing: To the extent that the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in securities related to a particular industry,
sector, market segment, or geographic area, its investments will be sensitive to developments in that industry, sector, market
segment, or geographic area. The Fund is subject to the risk that changing economic conditions; changing political or regulatory
conditions; or natural and other disasters affecting the particular industry, sector, market segment, or geographic area in which
the Fund focuses its investments could have a significant impact on its investment performance and could ultimately cause the
Fund to underperform, or its net asset value to be more volatile than, other funds that invest more broadly.
Industrials
Sector: The industrials sector includes companies whose businesses are dominated by one of the following activities: the manufacture
and distribution of capital goods, including aerospace and defense, construction, engineering and building products, electrical
equipment, and industrial machinery; the provision of commercial services and supplies, including printing, employment, environmental,
and office services; and the provision of transportation services, including airlines, couriers, marine, road and rail, and transportation
infrastructure. The industrials sector is affected by changes in the supply and demand for products and services, product obsolescence,
claims for environmental damage or product liability, and general economic conditions, among other factors.
Infrastructure
Sector: Investments in companies in the infrastructure sector are subject to the risks of adverse economic, regulatory, political,
legal, demographic, environmental, and other developments affecting the success of project they operate or finance. Infrastructure
companies may be adversely affected by, among other things, high interest costs related to capital construction programs, costs
associated with environmental and other regulations, difficulty in raising adequate capital on reasonable terms, the effect of
economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices,
and the effects of energy conservation policies, among other factors.
Materials
Sector: The materials sector includes companies in the following industry groups: forestry and paper, chemicals, industrial
metals, and mining. Companies in the basic materials sector may be adversely impacted by changes in commodity prices or exchange
rates, depletion of resources, overproduction, litigation, and government regulations, among other factors. The chemicals industry
may be significantly affected by intense competition, product obsolescence, raw materials prices, and government regulation, and
may be subject to risks associated with the production, handling, disposal of hazardous components, and litigation and claims
arising out of environmental contamination.
Foreign
(Non-U.S.) Investments/Developing and Emerging Markets: Investing in foreign (non-U.S.) securities may result in the Fund
experiencing more rapid and extreme changes in value than a fund that invests exclusively in securities of U.S. companies due,
in part, to: smaller markets; differing reporting, accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices; nationalization,
expropriation, or confiscatory taxation; foreign currency fluctuations, currency blockage, or replacement; potential for default
on sovereign debt; and political changes or diplomatic developments, which may include the imposition of economic sanctions (or
the threat of new or modified sanctions) or other measures by the U.S. or other governments and supranational organizations. Markets
and economies throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, and conditions or events in one market, country or
region may adversely impact investments or issuers in another market, country or region. To the extent the Fund invests in securities
of issuers in markets outside the U.S., its share price may be more volatile than if it invested in securities of issuers in the
U.S. market due to, among other things, the following factors: comparatively unstable political, social and economic conditions
and limited or ineffectual judicial systems; wars; comparatively small market sizes, making securities less liquid and securities
prices more sensitive to the movements of large investors and more vulnerable to manipulation; governmental policies or actions,
such as high taxes, restrictions on currency movements, replacement of currency, potential for default on sovereign debt, trade
or diplomatic disputes, which may include the imposition of economic sanctions (or the threat of new or modified sanctions) or
other measures by the U.S. or other governments and supranational organizations, creation of monopolies, and seizure of private
property through confiscatory taxation and expropriation or nationalization of company assets; incomplete, outdated, or unreliable
information about securities issuers due to less stringent market regulation and accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards and practices; comparatively undeveloped markets and weak banking and financial
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION — PRINCIPAL RISKS (Unaudited) (continued)
systems;
market inefficiencies, such as higher transaction costs, and administrative difficulties, such as delays in processing transactions;
and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, which could reduce gains or widen losses.
Economic
or other sanctions imposed on a foreign (non-U.S.) country or issuer by the U.S. or on the U.S. by a foreign (non-U.S.) country,
could impair the Fund’s ability to buy, sell, hold, receive, deliver, or otherwise transact in certain securities. In addition,
foreign withholding or other taxes could reduce the income available to distribute to shareholders, and special U.S. tax considerations
could apply to foreign (non-U.S.) investments. Depositary receipts are subject to risks of foreign (non-U.S.) investments and
might not always track the price of the underlying foreign (non-U.S.) security. Markets and economies throughout the world are
becoming increasingly interconnected, and conditions or events in one market, country or region may adversely impact investments
or issuers in another market, country or region. Foreign (non-U.S.) investment risks may be greater in developing and emerging
markets than in developed markets.
The
United Kingdom (the “UK”) left the European Union (the “EU”) on January 31, 2020 (commonly known as “Brexit”)
and entered into an 11-month transition period during which the UK remained part of the EU single market and customs union, the
laws of which govern the economic, trade, and security relations between the UK and EU. The transition period concluded on December
31, 2020 and the UK left the EU single market and customs union under the terms of a new trade agreement. The agreement governs
the relationship between the UK and the EU with respect to trading goods and services, but critical aspects of the relationship
remain unresolved and subject to further negotiation and agreement. Brexit has resulted in volatility in European and global markets
and could have negative long-term impacts on financial markets in the UK and throughout Europe. There is considerable uncertainty
about the potential consequences of Brexit and how the financial markets will be affected. As this process unfolds, markets may
be further disrupted. Given the size and importance of the UK’s economy, uncertainty about its legal, political, and economic
relationship with the remaining member states of the EU may continue to be a source of instability.
Foreign
(non-U.S.) investment risks may be greater in developing and emerging markets than in developed markets, for such reasons as social
or political unrest, heavy economic dependence on international aid, agriculture or exports (particularly commodities), undeveloped
or overburdened infrastructures and legal systems, vulnerability to natural disasters, significant and unpredictable government
intervention in markets or the economy, volatile currency exchange rates, currency
devaluations,
runaway inflation, business practices that depart from norms for developed countries, and generally less developed or liquid markets.
In certain emerging market countries, governments participate to a significant degree, through ownership or regulation, in their
respective economies. Action by these governments could have a significant adverse effect on market prices of securities and payments
of dividends. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which regulates auditors of U.S. public companies, is unable to inspect
audit work papers in certain foreign (non-U.S.) countries. Investors in foreign (non-U.S.) countries often have limited rights
and few practical remedies to pursue shareholder claims, including class actions or fraud claims, and the ability of the SEC,
the U.S. Department of Justice and other authorities to bring and enforce actions against foreign (non-U.S.) issuers or persons
is limited. Settlement and asset custody practices for transactions in emerging markets may differ from those in developed markets.
Such differences may include possible delays in settlement and certain settlement practices, such as delivery of securities prior
to receipt of payment, which increases the likelihood of a “failed settlement.” Failed settlements can result in losses.
In
addition, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “HFCAA”) could cause securities of a foreign (non-U.S.)
company, including American Depositary Receipts, to be delisted from U.S. stock exchanges if the company does not allow the U.S.
government to oversee the auditing of its financial information. Although the requirements of the HFCAA apply to securities of
all foreign (non-U.S.) issuers, the SEC has thus far limited its enforcement efforts to securities of Chinese companies. If securities
are delisted, the Fund’s ability to transact in such securities will be impaired, and the liquidity and market price of
the securities may decline. The Fund may also need to seek other markets in which to transact in such securities, which could
increase the Fund’s costs.
Investment
Model: The Sub-Adviser’s proprietary investment model may not adequately take into account existing or unforeseen market
factors or the interplay between such factors, and there is no guarantee that the use of a proprietary investment model will result
in effective investment decisions for the Fund. Proprietary investment models used by the Sub-Adviser to evaluate securities or
securities markets are based on the Sub-Adviser’s understanding of the interplay of market factors and do not assure successful
investment. The markets, or the price of individual securities, may be affected by factors not foreseen in the construction of
the proprietary investment models. Volatility management techniques may not always be successful in reducing volatility, may not
protect against market declines, and may limit the Fund’s participation in market gains, negatively impacting performance
even
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION — PRINCIPAL RISKS (Unaudited) (continued)
during
periods when the market is rising. During sudden or significant market rallies, such underperformance may be significant. Moreover,
volatility management strategies may increase portfolio transaction costs, which may increase losses or reduce gains. The Fund’s
volatility may not be lower than that of the Fund’s Index during all market cycles due to market factors. Funds that are
actively managed, in whole or in part, according to a quantitative investment model (including models that utilize artificial
intelligence) can perform differently from the market, based on the investment model and the factors used in the analysis, the
weight placed on each factor, and changes from the factors’ historical trends. Mistakes in the construction and implementation
of the investment models (including, for example, data problems and/or software issues) may create errors or limitations that
might go undetected or are discovered only after the errors or limitations have negatively impacted performance.
Liquidity:
If a security is illiquid, the Fund might be unable to sell the security at a time when the Fund’s manager might wish
to sell, or at all. Further, the lack of an established secondary market may make it more difficult to value illiquid securities,
exposing the Fund to the risk that the prices at which it sells illiquid securities will be less than the prices at which they
were valued when held by the Fund, which could cause the Fund to lose money. The prices of illiquid securities may be more volatile
than more liquid securities, and the risks associated with illiquid securities may be greater in times of financial stress.
Manager:
The Fund is subject to manager risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. The Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser,
or each individual portfolio manager will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there
can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. The loss of their services could have an adverse impact on the
Investment Adviser’s or Sub-Adviser’s ability to achieve the investment objectives. Many managers of equity funds
employ styles that are characterized as “value” or “growth.” However, these terms can have different applications
by different managers. One manager’s value approach may be different from that of another, and one manager’s growth
approach may be different from that of another. For example, some value managers employ a style in which they seek to identify
companies that they believe are valued at a more substantial or “deeper discount” to a company’s net worth than
other value managers. Therefore, some funds that are characterized as growth or value can have greater volatility than other funds
managed by other managers in a growth or value style.
Market:
The market values of securities will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions,
governmental actions or intervention,
market
disruptions caused by trade disputes or other factors, political developments, and other factors. Prices of equity securities
tend to rise and fall more dramatically than those of debt instruments. Additionally, legislative, regulatory or tax policies
or developments may adversely impact the investment techniques available to a manager, add to costs, and impair the ability of
the Fund to achieve its investment objectives.
Market
Capitalization: Stocks fall into three broad market capitalization categories — large, mid, and small. Investing primarily
in one category carries the risk that, due to current market conditions, that category may be out of favor with investors. If
valuations of large-capitalization companies appear to be greatly out of proportion to the valuations of mid- or small-capitalization
companies, investors may migrate to the stocks of mid- and small-sized companies causing a fund that invests in these companies
to increase in value more rapidly than a fund that invests in larger companies. Investing in mid- and small-capitalization companies
may be subject to special risks associated with narrower product lines, more limited financial resources, smaller management groups,
more limited publicly available information, and a more limited trading market for their stocks as compared with larger companies.
As a result, stocks of mid- and small-capitalization companies may be more volatile and may decline significantly in market downturns.
Market
Disruption and Geopolitical: The Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and
adversely affect global economies and markets. Due to the increasing interdependence among global economies and markets, conditions
in one country, market, or region might adversely impact markets, issuers and/or foreign exchange rates in other countries, including
the United States. War, terrorism, global health crises and pandemics, and other geopolitical events have led, and in the future
may lead, to increased market volatility and may have adverse short- or long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets
generally. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant market volatility, exchange suspensions and closures, declines
in global financial markets, higher default rates, supply chain disruptions, and a substantial economic downturn in economies
throughout the world. The economic impacts of COVID-19 have created a unique challenge for real estate markets. Many businesses
have either partially or fully transitioned to a remote-working environment and this transition may negatively impact the occupancy
rates of commercial real estate over time. Natural and environmental disasters and systemic market dislocations are also highly
disruptive to economies and markets. In addition, military action by Russia in Ukraine has, and may continue to, adversely affect
global energy and financial
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION — PRINCIPAL RISKS (Unaudited) (continued)
markets
and therefore could affect the value of the Fund’s investments, including beyond the Fund’s direct exposure to Russian
issuers or nearby geographic regions. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions, and resulting market disruptions
are impossible to predict and could be substantial. A number of U.S. domestic banks and foreign (non-U.S.) banks have recently
experienced financial difficulties and, in some cases, failures. There can be no certainty that the actions taken by regulators
to limit the effect of those financial difficulties and failures on other banks or other financial institutions or on the U.S.
or foreign (non-U.S.) economies generally will be successful. It is possible that more banks or other financial institutions will
experience financial difficulties or fail, which may affect adversely other U.S. or foreign (non-U.S.) financial institutions
and economies. These events as well as other changes in foreign (non-U.S.) and domestic economic, social, and political conditions
also could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings,
inflation, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of the Fund’s investments. Any of these occurrences
could disrupt the operations of the Fund and of the Fund’s service providers.
Operational:
The Fund, its service providers, and other market participants increasingly depend on complex information technology and communications
systems to conduct business functions. These systems are subject to a number of different threats or risks that could adversely
affect the Fund and its shareholders, despite the efforts of the Fund and its service providers to adopt technologies, processes,
and practices intended to mitigate these risks. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that affect the Fund’s service providers,
counterparties, market participants, or issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders,
including by causing losses or impairing the Fund’s operations. Information relating to the Fund’s investments has
been and will in the future be delivered electronically, which can give rise to a number of risks, including, but not limited
to, the risks that such communications may not be secure and may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately
replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with, without the knowledge of the sender or the intended
recipient.
Option
Writing: When the Fund writes a covered call option on a security, it assumes the risk that it must sell the underlying security
at an exercise price that may be lower than the market price of the security, and it gives up the opportunity to profit from a
price increase in the underlying security above the exercise price. In addition, the Fund continues to bear the risk of a decline
in the value of the underlying security.
When
the Fund writes an index call option, it assumes the risk that it must pay the purchaser of the option a cash payment equal to
any appreciation in the value of the index over the strike price of the call option during the option’s term. While the
amount of the Fund’s potential loss is offset by the premium received when the option was written, the amount of the loss
is theoretically unlimited. When writing a covered call option, the Fund may be unable to sell the underlying security during
the term of the option, including to take advantage of new investment opportunities. If a covered call option written by the Fund
expires unexercised, the Fund will realize a capital gain equal to the premium received at the time the option was written; however,
in return for the premium received, the Fund gives up the opportunity to profit from any price increase in the underlying security
above the exercise price during the term of the option, and, as long as its obligation under such call option continues, has retained
the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline.
There
can be no assurances that the option strategy will be effective and that the Fund will be able to exercise a transaction at a
desirable price and time.
Other
Investment Companies: The main risk of investing in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”),
is the risk that the value of the securities underlying an investment company might decrease. Shares of investment companies that
are listed on an exchange may trade at a discount or premium from their net asset value. You will pay a proportionate share of
the expenses of those other investment companies (including management fees, administration fees, and custodial fees) in addition
to the expenses of the Fund. The investment policies of the other investment companies may not be the same as those of the Fund;
as a result, an investment in the other investment companies may be subject to additional or different risks than those to which
the Fund is typically subject.
ETFs
are exchange-traded investment companies that are, in many cases, designed to provide investment results corresponding to an index.
Additional risks of investments in ETFs include: (i) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be
maintained; or (ii) trading may be halted if the listing exchanges’ officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are
delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases
in stock prices) halts trading generally. Other investment companies include Holding Company Depositary Receipts (“HOLDRs”).
Because HOLDRs concentrate in the stocks of a particular industry, trends in that industry may have a dramatic impact on their
value. In addition, shares of ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to net asset value and are subject to secondary market trading
risks. Secondary markets may be subject
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION — PRINCIPAL RISKS (Unaudited) (continued)
to
irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads, and extended trade settlement periods in times of market stress because market
makers and authorized participants may step away from making a market in an ETF’s shares, which could cause a material decline
in the ETF’s net asset value.
Securities
Lending: Securities lending involves two primary risks: “investment risk” and “borrower default risk.”
When lending securities, the Fund will receive cash or U.S. government securities as collateral. Investment risk is the risk that
the Fund will lose money from the investment of the cash collateral received from the borrower. Borrower default risk is the risk
that the Fund will lose money due to the failure of a borrower to return a borrowed security. Securities lending may result in
leverage. The use of leverage may exaggerate any increase or decrease in the net asset value, causing the Fund to be more volatile.
The use of leverage may increase expenses and increase the impact of the Fund’s other risks.
The
Fund seeks to minimize investment risk by limiting the investment of cash collateral to high-quality instruments of short maturity.
In the event of a borrower default, the Fund will be protected to the extent the Fund is able to exercise its rights in the collateral
promptly and the value of such collateral is sufficient to purchase replacement securities. The Fund is protected by its securities
lending agent, which has agreed to indemnify the Fund from losses resulting from borrower default.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION (Unaudited)
The
following information is a summary of certain changes since February 29, 2024. The information may not reflect all of the changes
that have occurred since you purchased the Fund. During the period, there were no material changes in the Fund’s investment
objective or fundamental policies.
During
the period there have been changes to the portfolio management team. Effective March 1, 2024, Peg DiOrio was removed as one of
the portfolio managers to the Fund. In addition, effective December 31, 2023, Paul Zemsky retired from Voya Investment Management
Co. LLC and is no longer one of the portfolio managers to the Fund. Lastly, effective September 30, 2023, Susanna Jacob was added
as a portfolio manager to the Fund.
The
Fund may lend portfolio securities in an amount equal to up to 331∕3% of its managed assets to broker dealers or other institutional
borrowers, in exchange for cash collateral and fees. The fund may use the cash collateral in connection with the Fund’s
investment program as approved by the Investment Adviser, including generating cash to cover collateral posting requirements.
Although the Fund has no current intention to do so, it may use the cash collateral to generate additional income. The use of
cash collateral in connection with the Fund’s investment program may have a leveraging effect on the Fund, which would increase
the volatility of the Fund and could reduce its returns and/or cause a loss.
The
Fund intends to engage in lending portfolio securities only when such lending is secured by cash or other permissible collateral
in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The Fund will maintain cash, cash equivalents or liquid
securities holdings in an amount sufficient to cover its repayment obligation with respect to the collateral, marked to market
on a daily basis.
Securities
lending involves the risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the securities loaned if the borrower of the securities
fails financially. Loans will be made only to organizations whose credit quality or claims paying ability is considered by the
Sub-Adviser to be at least investment grade. The financial condition of the borrower will be monitored by the Investment Adviser
on an ongoing basis. The Fund will not lend portfolio securities subject to a written American style covered call option contract.
The Fund may lend portfolio securities subject to a written European style covered call option contract as long as the lending
period is less than or equal to the term of the covered call option contract.
Dividend
Reinvestment Plan
Unless
the registered owner of Common Shares elects to receive cash by contacting Computershare Shareowner Services LLC (the “Plan
Agent”), all dividends declared on Common Shares of the Fund will be automatically
reinvested
by the Plan Agent for shareholders in additional Common Shares of the Fund through the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan
(the “Plan”). Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all dividends and other distributions
in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or, if the Common Shares are held in street or other nominee
name, then to such nominee) by the Plan Agent. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed
at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Plan Agent prior to the dividend record date; otherwise
such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Some
brokers may automatically elect to receive cash on your behalf and may re-invest that cash in additional Common Shares of the
Fund for you. If you wish for all dividends declared on your Common Shares of the Fund to be automatically reinvested pursuant
to the Plan, please contact your broker.
The
Plan Agent will open an account for each Common Shareholder under the Plan in the same name in which such Common Shareholder’s
Common Shares are registered. Whenever the Fund declares a dividend or other distribution (together, a “Dividend”)
payable in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in Common
Shares. The Common Shares will be acquired by the Plan Agent for the participants’ accounts, depending upon the circumstances
described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized Common Shares from the Fund (“Newly Issued
Common Shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding Common Shares on the open market (“Open-Market Purchases”)
on the NYSE or elsewhere. Open-market purchases and sales are usually made through a broker affiliated with the Plan Agent.
If,
on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price plus estimated brokerage commissions per Common Share is equal
to or greater than the NAV per Common Share, the Plan Agent will invest the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares on behalf
of the participants. The number of Newly Issued Common Shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined
by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by the NAV per Common Share on the payment date; provided that, if the NAV is less
than or equal to 95% of the closing market value on the payment date, the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95%
of the closing market price per Common Share on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the NAV per Common
Share is greater than the closing market value plus estimated brokerage commissions, the Plan Agent will invest the Dividend amount
in Common Shares acquired on behalf of the participants in Open-Market Purchases.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
In
the event of a market discount on the payment date for any Dividend, the Plan Agent will have until the last business day before
the next date on which the Common Shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the payment date for such
Dividend, whichever is sooner (the “Last Purchase Date”), to invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares acquired
in Open-Market Purchases.
The
Fund pays quarterly Dividends. Therefore, the period during which Open-Market Purchases can be made will exist only from the payment
date of each Dividend through the date before the next “ex-dividend” date, which typically will be approximately ten
days.
If,
before the Plan Agent has completed its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per common share exceeds the NAV per Common Share,
the average per Common Share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator may exceed the NAV of the Common Shares, resulting
in the acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued Common Shares on the Dividend payment
date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Agent is unable
to invest the full Dividend amount in Open-Market Purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market
premium during the purchase period, the Plan Agent will cease making Open-Market Purchases and will invest the uninvested portion
of the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares at the NAV per common share at the close of business on the Last Purchase
Date provided that, if the NAV is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per Common Share, the dollar amount
of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date.
The
Plan Agent maintains all shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the
accounts, including information needed by shareholders for tax records. Common Shares in the account of each Plan participant
will be held by the Plan Agent on behalf of the Plan participant, and each shareholder proxy will include those shares purchased
or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Agent will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies
for shares held under the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the participants.
In
the case of shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees which hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan
Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder’s
name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.
There
will be no brokerage charges with respect to Common Shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro
rata share of brokerage commissions incurred in connection with Open-Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends
will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such
Dividends. Participants that request a partial or full sale of shares through the Plan Agent are subject to a $15.00 sales fee
and a $0.10 per share brokerage commission on purchases or sales, and may be subject to certain other service charges.
The
Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases
in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.
All
questions concerning the Plan or a request to terminate participation should be directed to the Fund’s Shareholder Service
Department at (800) 992-0180.
Application
of Control Share Provisions of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act
Under
Delaware law, which became automatically applicable to listed closed-end funds such as the Fund upon its effective date of August
1, 2022 (the “DSTA Control Share Statute”), if a shareholder acquires direct or indirect ownership or power to direct
the voting of shares of the Fund in an aggregate amount that equals or exceeds certain percentage thresholds specified under the
DSTA Control Share Statute (beginning at 10% or more of the Fund’s shares) (“control share acquisitions”), the
shareholder’s ability to vote certain of these shares will be limited by operation of state law unless action is taken by
the Board of Trustees or by a vote of shareholders of the Fund to exempt such shares from the provisions of the statute. The DSTA
Control Share Statute requires shareholders to disclose to the Fund any control share acquisition within 10 days of such acquisition.
The Fund may have no or only a limited ability to identify when a control share acquisition has occurred absent notice from a
shareholder of a control share acquisition. Shareholders should consult their own counsel with respect to the application of the
DSTA Control Share Statute to any particular circumstance.
Key
Financial Dates — Calendar 2024 Distributions:
Declaration
Date |
Ex
Date |
Record
Date |
Payable
Date |
March
15, 2024 |
April
1, 2024 |
April
2, 2024 |
April
15, 2024 |
April
15, 2024 |
May
1, 2024 |
May
2, 2024 |
May
15, 2024 |
May
15, 2024 |
June
3, 2024 |
June
3, 2024 |
June
17, 2024 |
June
17, 2024 |
July
1, 2024 |
July
1, 2024 |
July
15, 2024 |
July
15, 2024 |
August
1, 2024 |
August
1, 2024 |
August
15, 2024 |
August
15, 2024 |
September
3, 2024 |
September
3, 2024 |
September
16, 2024 |
September
16, 2024 |
October
1, 2024 |
October
1, 2024 |
October
15, 2024 |
October
15, 2024 |
November
1, 2024 |
November
1, 2024 |
November
15, 2024 |
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
November
15, 2024 |
December 2, 2024 |
December 2, 2024 |
December 16, 2024 |
December
16, 2024 |
December 30, 2024 |
December 30, 2024 |
January 15, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
Record
date will be two business days after each Ex-Dividend Date. These dates are subject to change.
Stock
Data
The
Fund’s common shares are traded on the NYSE (Symbol: IDE).
Repurchase
of Securities by Closed-End Companies
In
accordance with Section 23(c) of the 1940 Act, and Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may from time to time purchase shares
of beneficial interest of the Fund in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions and/ or purchase shares to correct
erroneous transactions.
Number
of Shareholders
The
number of record holders of common stock as of February 29, 2024 was 5, which does not include approximately 11,632 beneficial
owners of shares held in the name of brokers or other nominees.
Certifications
In
accordance with Section 303A.12 (a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, the Fund’s CEO submitted the Annual
CEO Certification on July 24, 2023 certifying that he was not aware, as of that date, of any violation by the Fund of the NYSE’s
Corporate governance listing standards. In addition, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related
SEC rules, the Fund’s principal executive and financial officers have made quarterly certifications, included in filings
with the SEC on
Form
N-CSR, relating to, among other things, the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial
reporting.
[This
Page Intentionally Left Blank]
Investment Adviser |
Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm |
Voya Investments, LLC |
Ernst & Young LLP |
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 |
200 Clarendon Street |
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 |
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 |
|
Transfer Agent |
Custodian |
Computershare, Inc. |
The Bank of New York Mellon |
480 Washington Boulevard |
225 Liberty Street |
Jersey City, New Jersey 07310-1900 |
New York, New York 10286 |
|
|
|
Legal Counsel |
|
Ropes & Gray LLP |
|
Prudential Tower |
|
800 Boylston Street |
|
Boston, Massachusetts 02199 |
Toll-Free
Shareholder Information
Call
us from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern time on any business day for account or other information at (800) 992-0180.
RETIREMENT
| INVESTMENTS | INSURANCE |
|
|
|
voyainvestments.com |
163063
(0224) |
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
As of the end of the period covered by this report,
Registrant had adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive
officer and principal financial officer. There were no amendments to the Code during the period covered by the report. The Registrant
did not grant any waivers, including implicit waivers, from any provisions of the Code during the period covered by this report. The code
of ethics is filed herewith pursuant to Item 13(a)(1), Ex-99.CODE ETH.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The Board of Trustees has determined that Colleen D.
Baldwin, Martin J. Gavin, and Christopher P. Sullivan are audit committee financial experts, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Ms. Baldwin,
Mr. Gavin, and Mr. Sullivan are “independent” for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Below are the amount of fees that Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”),
the Registrant’s current Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, billed and paid to the Fund during the Fund’s fiscal
years ended February 29, 2024 and February 28, 2023.
(a) | Audit Fees: The aggregate fees billed and paid for each of the last two fiscal years for professional
services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”), the principal accountant for the audit
of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory
and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years were $26,770 for the year ended February 29, 2024 and $26,770 for the year
ended February 28, 2023. |
(b) | Audit-Related Fees: The aggregate fees billed and paid in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services
by EY that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported
under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for the year ended February 29, 2024 and $0 for the year ended February 28, 2023. |
(c) | Tax Fees: The aggregate fees billed and paid in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by EY
for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were $10,278 for the year ended February 29, 2024 and $23,230 for the year ended February
28, 2023. Such services included review of excise distribution calculations (if applicable), preparation of the Registrants’ federal,
state, and excise tax returns, tax services related to mergers and routine consulting. |
(d) | All Other Fees: The aggregate fees billed and paid in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided
by EY, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item were $0 for the year ended February 29, 2024 and $0
for the year ended February 28, 2023. |
(e)(1) | Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures |
Appendix A
AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES
PRE-APPROVAL POLICY
I. Statement
of Principles
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”), the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors or Trustees (the “Committee”) of the Voya funds (each a “Fund,” collectively,
the “Funds”) set out on Exhibit A to this Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy (“Policy”)
is responsible for the oversight of the work of the Funds’ independent auditors. As part of its responsibilities, the Committee
must pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the auditors in order to assure that the provision of these services does
not impair the auditors’ independence from the Funds. The Committee has adopted, and the Board has ratified, this Policy, which
sets out the procedures and conditions under which the services of the independent auditors may be pre-approved.
Under Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules promulgated
in accordance with the Act, the Funds may establish two different approaches to pre-approving audit and non-audit services. The Committee
may approve services without consideration of specific case-by-case services (“general pre-approval”) or it may pre-approve
specific services (“specific pre-approval”). The Committee believes that the combination of these approaches contemplated
in this Policy results in an effective and efficient method for pre-approving audit and non-audit services to be performed by the Funds’
independent auditors. Under this Policy, services that are not of a type that may receive general pre-approval require specific pre-approval
by the Committee. Any proposed services that exceed pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require the Committee’s
specific pre-approval.
For both types of approval, the Committee considers whether the subject
services are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence and that such services are compatible with maintaining
the auditors independence. The Committee also considers whether a particular audit firm is in the best position to provide effective and
efficient services to the Funds. Reasons that the auditors are in the best position include the auditors’ familiarity with the Funds’
business, personnel, culture, accounting systems, risk profile, and other factors, and whether the services will enhance the Funds’
ability to manage and control risk or improve audit quality. Such factors will be considered as a whole, with no one factor being determinative.
The appendices attached to this Policy describe the audit, audit-related,
tax-related, and other services that have the Committee’s general pre-approval. For any service that has been approved through general
pre-approval, the general pre-approval will remain in place for a period 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Committee
determines that a different period is appropriate. The Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided
by the independent auditors without specific pre-approval. The Committee will revise the list of services subject to general pre-approval
as appropriate. This Policy does not serve as a delegation to Fund management of the Committee’s duty to pre-approve services performed
by the Funds’ independent auditors.
II. Audit
Services
The annual audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to
the Committee’s specific pre-approval. Audit services are those services that are normally provided by auditors in connection with
statutory and regulatory filings or engagements or those that generally only independent auditors can reasonably provide. They include
the Funds’ annual financial statement audit and procedures that the independent auditors must perform in order to form an opinion
on the Funds’ financial statements (e.g., information systems and procedural reviews and testing). The Committee will monitor
the audit services engagement and approve any changes in terms, conditions or fees deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate.
The Committee may grant general pre-approval to other audit services,
such as statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the
SEC or issued in connection with securities offerings.
The Committee has pre-approved the audit services listed on Appendix
A. The Committee must specifically approve all audit services not listed on Appendix A.
III. Audit-related
Services
Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or the review of the Funds’ financial statements or are traditionally performed
by the independent auditors. The Committee believes that the provision of audit-related services will not impair the independent auditors’
independence, and therefore may grant pre-approval to audit-related services. Audit-related services include accounting consultations
related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as “audit services;” assistance with understanding
and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures
relating to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters;
and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Form N-CEN or Form N-CSR.
The Committee has pre-approved the audit-related services listed on
Appendix B. The Committee must specifically approve all audit-related services not listed on Appendix B.
IV. Tax
Services
The Committee believes the independent auditors can provide tax services
to the Funds, including tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice, without compromising the auditors’ independence. Therefore,
the Committee may grant general pre-approval with respect to tax services historically provided by the Funds’ independent auditors
that do not, in the Committee’s view, impair auditor independence and that are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor
independence.
The Committee will not grant pre-approval if the independent auditors
initially recommends a transaction the sole business purpose of which is tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported
in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The Committee may consult
outside counsel to determine that tax planning and reporting positions
are consistent with this Policy.
The Committee has pre-approved the tax-related services listed on Appendix
C. The Committee must specifically approve all tax-related services not listed on Appendix C.
V. Other
Services
The Committee believes it may grant approval of non-audit services
that are permissible services for independent auditors to a Fund. The Committee has determined to grant general pre-approval to other
services that it believes are routine and recurring, do not impair auditor independence, and are consistent with SEC rules on auditor
independence.
The Committee has pre-approved the non-audit services listed on Appendix
D. The Committee must specifically approve all non-audit services not listed on Appendix D.
A list of the SEC’s prohibited non-audit services is attached
to this Policy as Appendix E. The SEC’s rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions
of these impermissible services and the applicability of exceptions to certain of the SEC’s prohibitions.
VI. Pre-approval
of Fee levels and Budgeted Amounts
The Committee will annually establish pre-approval fee levels or budgeted
amounts for audit, audit-related, tax and non-audit services to be provided to the Funds by the independent auditors. Any proposed services
exceeding these levels or amounts require the Committee’s specific pre-approval. The Committee considers fees for audit and non-audit
services when deciding whether to pre-approve services. The Committee may determine, for a pre-approval period of 12 months, the appropriate
ratio between the total amount of fees for the Fund’s audit, audit-related, and tax services (including fees for services provided
to Fund affiliates that are subject to pre-approval), and the total amount of fees for certain permissible non-audit services for the
Fund classified as other services (including any such services provided to Fund affiliates that are subject to pre-approval).
VII. Procedures
Requests or applications for services to be provided by the independent
auditors will be submitted to management. If management determines that the services do not fall within those services generally pre-approved
by the Committee and set out in the appendices to these procedures, management will submit the services to the Committee or its delagee.
Any such submission will include a detailed description of the services to be rendered. Notwithstanding this paragraph, the Committee
will, on a quarterly basis, receive from the independent auditors a list of services provided for the previous calendar quarter on a cumulative
basis by the auditors during the Pre-Approval Period.
VIII. Delegation
The Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of
the Committee’s members. Any member or members to whom such pre-approval authority is delegated must report any pre-approval decisions,
including any pre-approved services, to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Committee will identify any member to whom pre-approval
authority is delegated in writing. The member will retain such authority for a period of 12 months from the date of pre-approval unless
the Committee determines that a different period is appropriate. The period of delegated authority may be terminated by the Committee
or at the option of the member.
IX. Additional
Requirements
The Committee will take any measures the Committee deems necessary
or appropriate to oversee the work of the independent auditors and to assure the auditors’ independence from the Funds. This may
include reviewing a formal written statement from the independent auditors delineating all relationships between the auditors and the
Funds, consistent with Independence Standards Board No. 1, and discussing with the auditors their methods and procedures for ensuring
independence.
Last Approved: November 16, 2023
Appendix A
Pre-Approved Audit Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
Service |
|
The Fund(s) |
Fee Range |
Statutory audits or financial audits (including tax services associated with audit services) |
√ |
As
presented to Audit Committee1 |
Services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., consents), and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters. |
√ |
Not to exceed $9,750 per filing |
Consultations by Fund management with respect to accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential effect of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies. |
√ |
Not to exceed $8,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
Seed capital audit and related review and issuance of consent on the N-2 registration statement |
√ |
Not to exceed $14,750 per audit |
Audit of summary portfolio of investments |
√ |
Not to exceed $840 per fund |
| 1 | For
new Funds launched during the Pre-Approval Period, the fee ranges pre-approved will be the
same as those for existing Funds, pro-rated in accordance with inception dates as provided
in the auditors’ Proposal or any Engagement Letter covering the period at issue. Fees
in the Engagement Letter will be controlling. |
Appendix B
Pre-Approved Audit-Related Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
Service |
|
The Fund(s) |
Fund Affiliates |
Fee Range |
Services related to Fund mergers (Excludes tax services - See Appendix C for tax services associated with Fund mergers) |
√ |
√ |
Not to exceed $10,000 per merger |
Consultations by Fund management with respect to accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential effect of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies. [Note: Under SEC rules some consultations may be “audit” services and others may be “audit-related” services.] |
√ |
|
Not to exceed $5,000 per occurrence during the Pre-Approval Period |
Review of the Funds’ semi-annual and quarterly financial statements |
√ |
|
Not to exceed $2,700 per set of financial statements per fund |
Reports to regulatory or government agencies related to the annual engagement |
√ |
|
Up to $5,000 per occurrence during the Pre-Approval Period |
Regulatory compliance assistance |
√ |
√ |
Not to exceed $5,000 per quarter |
Training courses |
|
√ |
Not to exceed $5,000 per course |
Appendix C
Pre-Approved Tax Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
Service |
|
The Fund(s) |
Fund
Affiliates |
Fee Range |
Preparation of federal and state income tax returns and federal excise tax returns for the Funds including assistance and review with excise tax distributions (Funds fees) |
√ |
|
As
presented to Audit Committee2 |
Review of IRC Sections 851(b) and 817(h) diversification testing on a real-time basis |
√ |
|
As presented to Audit Committee2 |
Tax assistance and advice regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments |
√ |
√ |
Not to exceed $5,000 for the Funds or for the Funds’ investment adviser during the Pre-Approval Period |
| 2 | For
new Funds launched during the Pre-Approval Period, the fee ranges pre-approved will be the
same as those for existing Funds, pro-rated in accordance with inception dates as provided
in the auditors’ Proposal or any Engagement Letter covering the period at issue. Fees
in the Engagement Letter will be controlling. |
Appendix C, continued Pre-Approved Tax Services for the Pre-Approval
Period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
Service |
|
The Fund(s) |
Fund
Affiliates |
Fee Range |
Tax and technology training sessions |
|
√ |
Not to exceed $5,000 per course during the Pre-Approval Period |
Tax services associated with Fund mergers |
√ |
√ |
Not to exceed $4,000 per fund per merger during the Pre-Approval Period |
Tax compliance services related to return preparation for the Funds
(Adviser Fees)
|
|
√ |
As
presented to Audit Committee3 |
Other tax-related assistance and consultation, including, without limitation, assistance in evaluating derivative financial instruments and international tax issues, qualification and distribution issues, year-end reporting for 1099’s, tax compliance services in foreign jurisdictions and similar routine tax consultations as requested. |
√ |
|
Not to exceed $300,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
EU Reclaims IRS Closing Agreement Filings |
√ |
|
$20,000 per Fund first closing agreement, $5,000 for subsequent closing agreements for same Fund |
| 3 | For
new Funds launched during the Pre-Approval Period, the fee ranges pre-approved will be the
same as those for existing Funds, pro-rated in accordance with inception dates as provided
in the auditors’ Proposal or any Engagement Letter covering the period at issue. Fees
in the Engagement Letter will be controlling. |
Appendix D
Pre-Approved Other Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
Service |
|
The Fund(s) |
Fund Affiliates |
Fee Range |
Agreed-upon procedures for Class B share 12b-1 programs |
|
√ |
Not to exceed $60,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
Security counts performed pursuant to Rule 17f-2 of the 1940 Act
(i.e., counts for Funds holding securities with affiliated sub-custodians)
Cost to be borne 50% by the Funds and 50% by Voya Investments, LLC.
|
√
|
√
|
Not to exceed $5,700 per Fund during the Pre-Approval Period |
Agreed upon procedures for 15 (c) FACT Books |
√ |
|
Not to exceed $50,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
Appendix E
Prohibited Non-Audit Services
Dated: January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
| ● | Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial
statements of the Funds |
| ● | Financial information systems design and implementation |
| ● | Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or contribution-in-kind
reports |
| ● | Internal audit outsourcing services |
| ● | Broker-dealer, investment adviser, or investment banking services |
| ● | Expert services unrelated to the audit |
| ● | Any other service that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines,
by regulation, is impermissible. |
EXHIBIT A
VOYA ASIA PACIFIC HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME
FUND
VOYA BALANCED PORTFOLIO, INC.
VOYA CREDIT INCOME FUND
VOYA EMERGING MARKETS HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY FUND
VOYA EQUITY TRUST
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
VOYA GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY
FUND
VOYA GLOBAL EQUITY DIVIDEND AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY
FUND
VOYA INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRIALS, AND MATERIALS
FUND
VOYA INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
VOYA INVESTORS TRUST
VOYA GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
VOYA MUTUAL FUNDS
VOYA PARTNERS, INC.
VOYA SEPARATE PORTFOLIOS TRUST
VOYA STRATEGIC ALLOCATIONS PORTFOLIOS, INC.
VOYA VARIABLE FUNDS
VOYA VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
VOYA VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS INC,
VOYA VARIABLE PRODUCTS TRUST
(e)(2) | Percentage of services referred to in 4(b) – (4)(d)
that were approved by the audit committee |
100% of the services were approved
by the audit committee.
(f) | Percentage of hours expended attributable to work performed
by other than full time employees of EY if greater than 50% |
Not applicable.
(g) | Non-Audit Fees: The following table presents (i) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and
other services) billed and paid to the Registrant by the independent registered public accounting firm for the Registrant’s fiscal
years ended, February 29, 2024 and February 28, 2023; and (ii) the aggregate non-audit fees billed to the investment adviser, or any of
its affiliates that provide ongoing services to the registrant, by the independent registered public accounting firm for the same time
periods. |
Registrant/Investment Adviser | |
2024 | | |
2023 | |
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund | |
$ | 10,278 | | |
$ | 23,230 | |
Voya Investments, LLC (1) | |
$ | 21,656,780 | | |
$ | 10,659,560 | |
(1) The Registrant’s investment adviser
and any of its affiliates, which are subsidiaries of Voya Financial, Inc.
(h) | Principal Accountants Independence: The Registrant’s Audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit
services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control
with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii)
of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining EY’s independence. |
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
|
a. | The
registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee. The members are Colleen D. Baldwin, Martin J. Gavin, and Christopher
P. Sullivan. |
|
b. | Not applicable. |
Item 6. Schedule of Investments.
(a) | Schedule is included as part of the report to shareholders
filed under Item 1 of this Form. |
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and
Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
PROXY
VOTING Policy
VOYA
FUNDS
VOYA
iNVESTMENTS, LLC
Date
Last Revised: March 16, 2023
Introduction
This
document sets forth the proxy voting procedures (“Procedures”) and guidelines (“Guidelines”), collectively the
“Proxy Voting Policy”, that Voya Investments, LLC (“Adviser”) shall follow when voting proxies on behalf of the
Voya funds for which it serves as investment adviser (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The Funds’
Boards of Directors/Trustees (“Board”) have approved the Proxy Voting Policy.
The
Board may determine to delegate proxy voting to a sub-adviser of one or more Funds (rather than to the Adviser) in which case the sub-adviser’s
proxy policies and procedures for implementation on behalf of such Fund (a “Sub-Adviser-Voted Fund”) shall be subject to
Board approval. Sub-Adviser-Voted Funds are not covered under the Proxy Voting Policy except as described in the Reporting and Record
Retention section below relating to vote reporting requirements. Sub-Adviser-Voted Funds are governed by the applicable sub-adviser’s
respective proxy policies provided that the Board has approved such policies.
The
Proxy Voting Policy incorporates principles and guidance set forth in relevant pronouncements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) and its staff regarding the Adviser’s fiduciary duty to ensure that proxies are voted in a timely manner and
that voting decisions are always in the Funds’ best interest.
Pursuant
to the Policy, the Adviser’s Active Ownership team (“AO Team”) is delegated the responsibility to vote the Funds’
proxies in accordance with the Proxy Voting Policy on the Funds’ behalf.
The
engagement of a Proxy Advisory Firm (as defined in the Proxy Advisory Firm section below) shall be subject to the Board’s
initial approval and annual Board review and approval thereafter. The AO Team is responsible for Proxy Advisory Firm oversight and shall
direct the Proxy Advisory Firm to vote proxies in accordance with the Guidelines.
The
Board’s Compliance Committee (“Compliance Committee”) shall review the Proxy Voting Policy not less than annually and
these documents shall be updated as appropriate. No material changes to the Proxy Voting Policy shall become effective without Board
approval. The Compliance Committee may approve non-material amendments for immediate implementation subject to full Board ratification
at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
Adviser’s
Roles and Responsibilities
Active
Ownership Team
The
AO Team shall direct the Proxy Advisory Firm to vote proxies on the Funds’ and Adviser’s behalf in connection with annual
and special shareholder meetings (except those regarding bankruptcy matters and/or related plans of reorganization).
The
AO Team is responsible for overseeing the Proxy Advisory Firm and voting the Funds’ proxies in accordance with the Proxy Voting
Policy on the Funds’ and the Adviser’s behalf.
The
AO Team is authorized to direct the Proxy Advisory Firm to vote Fund proxies in accordance with the Proxy Voting Policy. Responsibilities
assigned to the AO Team or activities in support thereof may be performed by such members of the Proxy Committee (as defined in the Proxy
Committee section below) or employees of the Adviser’s affiliates as the Proxy Committee deems appropriate.
The
AO Team is also responsible for identifying potential conflicts between the proxy issuer and the Proxy Advisory Firm, the Adviser, the
Funds’ principal underwriters, or an affiliated person of the Funds. The AO Team shall identify such potential conflicts of interest
based on information the Proxy Advisory Firm periodically provides; analyses of Voya’s clients, distributors, broker-dealers, and
vendors; and information derived from other sources including but not limited to public filings.
Proxy
Advisory Firm
The
Proxy Advisory Firm is required to coordinate with the Funds’ custodians to ensure that those firms process all proxy
materials they receive relating to portfolio securities in a timely manner. To the extent applicable the Proxy Advisory Firm is
required to provide research, analysis, and vote recommendations under its Proxy Voting guidelines. The Proxy Advisory Firm
is required to produce custom vote recommendations in accordance with the Guidelines and their vote recommendations.
Proxy
Committee
The
Proxy Committee shall ensure that the Funds vote proxies consistent with the Proxy Voting Policy. The Proxy Committee accordingly reviews
and evaluates this Policy, oversees the development and implementation thereof, and resolves ad hoc issues that may arise from
time to time. The Proxy Committee is comprised of senior leaders of Voya Investment Management, including fundamental research, ESG research,
active ownership, compliance, legal, finance, and operations of the Adviser. The Proxy Committee membership may be amended at the Adviser’s
discretion from time to time. The Board will be informed of any membership changes quarterly at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Investment
Professionals
The
Funds’ sub-advisers and/or portfolio managers are each referred to herein as an “Investment Professional” and collectively,
“Investment Professionals”. Investment Professionals are encouraged to submit recommendations to the AO Team regarding any
proxy voting-related proposals relating to the portfolio securities over which they have daily portfolio management responsibility including
proxy contests, proposals relating to issuers with dual class shares with superior voting rights, and/or mergers and acquisitions.
PROXY
VOTING PROCEDURES
Vote
Classification
Within-Guidelines
Votes: Votes in Accordance with these Guidelines
A
vote cast in accordance with these Guidelines is considered Within-Guidelines.
Out-of-Guidelines
Votes: Votes Contrary to these Guidelines
A
vote that is contrary to these Guidelines may be cast when the AO team and/or Proxy Committee determine that application of these Guidelines
is inappropriate under the circumstances. A vote is considered contrary to these Guidelines when such vote contradicts the approach outlined
in the Policy.
A
vote would not be considered contrary to these Guidelines for cases in which these Guidelines stipulate a Case-by-Case consideration
or an Investment Professional provides a written rationale for such vote.
Matters
Requiring Case-by-Case Consideration
The
Proxy Advisory Firm shall refer proxy proposals to the AO Team for consideration when the Procedures and Guidelines indicate a “Case-by-Case”
consideration. Additionally, the Proxy Advisory Firm shall refer a proxy proposal under circumstances in which the application of the
Procedures and Guidelines is uncertain, appears to involve unusual or controversial issues, or is silent regarding the proposal.
Upon
receipt of a referral from the Proxy Advisory Firm, the AO Team may solicit additional research or clarification from the Proxy Advisory
Firm, Investment Professional(s), or other sources.
The
AO Team shall review matters requiring Case-by-Case consideration to determine whether such proposals require an Investment Professional
and/or Proxy Committee input and a vote determination.
Non-Votes:
Votes in which No Action is Taken
The
AO Team shall make reasonable efforts to secure and vote all Fund proxies. Nevertheless a Fund may refrain from voting under certain
circumstances including, but not limited to:
● | The
economic effect on shareholder interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable
or insignificant (e.g., proxies in connection with fractional shares), securities
no longer held in a Fund, or a proxy is being considered for a Fund no longer in existence. |
● | The
cost of voting a proxy outweighs the benefits (e.g., certain international proxies,
particularly in cases in which share-blocking practices may impose trading restrictions on
the relevant portfolio security). |
Conflicts
of Interest
The
Adviser shall act in the Funds’ best interests and strive to avoid conflicts of interest.
Conflicts
of interest may arise in situations in which, but not limited to:
● | The
issuer is a vendor whose products or services are material to the Funds, the Adviser, or
their affiliates; |
● | The
issuer is an entity participating to a material extent in the Funds’ distribution; |
● | The
issuer is a significant executing broker-dealer for the Funds and/or the Adviser; |
● | Any
individual who participates in the voting process for the Funds, including: |
| ○ | Investment
Professionals; |
| ○ | Members
of the Proxy Committee; |
| ○ | Employees
of the Adviser; |
| ○ | Board
Directors/Trustees; and |
| ○ | Individuals
who serve as a director or officer of the issuer. |
● | The
issuer is Voya Financial. |
Investment
Professionals, the Proxy Advisory Firm, the Proxy Committee, and the AO Team shall disclose any potential conflicts of interest and/or
confirm they do not have conflicts of interest relating to their participation in the voting process for portfolio securities.
The
AO Team shall call a meeting of the Proxy Committee if a potential conflict exists and a member (or members) of the AO Team wishes to
vote contrary to these Guidelines or an Investment Professional provides input regarding a meeting and has confirmed a conflict exists
with regard thereto. The Proxy Committee shall then consider the matter and vote on a best course of action.
The
AO Team shall use best efforts to convene the Proxy Committee with respect to all matters requiring its consideration. If the Proxy Committee
cannot meet its quorum requirements by the voting deadline it shall execute the vote in accordance with these Guidelines.
The
Adviser shall maintain records regarding any determinations to vote contrary to these Guidelines including those in which a potential
Voya Investment Management Conflict exists. Such records shall include the rationale for the contrary vote.
Potential
Conflicts with a Proxy Issuer
The
AO Team shall identify potential conflicts with proxy issuers. In addition to obtaining potential conflict of interest information described
in the Roles and Responsibilities section above, Proxy Committee members shall disclose to the AO Team any potential conflicts
of interests with an issuer prior to discussing the Proxy Advisory Firm’s recommendation.
Proxy
Committee members shall advise the AO Team in the event they believe a potential or perceived conflict of interest exists that may preclude
them from making a vote determination in the Funds’ best interests. The Proxy Committee member may elect recusal from considering
the relevant proxy. Proxy Committee members shall complete a Conflict of Interest Report when they verbally disclose a potential conflict
of interest.
Investment
Professionals shall also confirm that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest when submitting vote recommendations to the
AO Team.
The
AO Team gathers and analyzes the information provided by the:
● | Proxy
Advisory Firm; |
● | Adviser; |
● | Funds’
principal underwriters; |
● | Fund
affiliates; |
● | Proxy
Committee members; |
● | Investment
Professionals; and |
● | Fund
Directors and Officers. |
Assessment
of the Proxy Advisory Firm
On
the Board’s and Adviser’s behalf the AO Team shall assess whether the Proxy Advisory Firm:
● | Is
independent from the Adviser; |
● | Has
resources that indicate it can competently provide analysis of proxy issues; |
● | Can
make recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the Funds and their
beneficial owners; and |
● | Has
adequate compliance policies and procedures to: |
| ○ | Ensure
that its proxy voting recommendations are based on current and accurate information; and |
| ○ | Identify
and address conflicts of interest. |
The
AO Team shall utilize and the Proxy Advisory Firm shall comply with such methods for completing the assessment as the AO Team may deem
reasonably appropriate. The Proxy Advisory Firm shall also promptly notify the AO Team in writing of any material changes to information
it previously provided to the AO Team in connection with establishing the Proxy Advisory Firm’s independence, competence, or impartiality.
Voting
Funds of Funds, Investing Funds and Feeder Funds
Funds
that are funds-of-funds1 (each a “Fund-of-Funds” and collectively, “Funds-of-Funds”) shall “echo”
vote their interests in underlying mutual funds, which may include mutual funds other than the Funds indicated on Voya’s website
(www.voyainvestments.com). Meaning that if the Fund-of-Funds must vote on a proposal with respect to an underlying investment
issuer the Fund-of-Funds shall vote its interest in that underlying fund in the same proportion as all other shareholders in the underlying
investment company voted their interests.
However,
if the underlying fund has no other shareholders, the Fund-of-Funds shall vote as follows:
● | If
the Fund-of-Funds and the underlying fund are solicited to vote on the same proposal (e.g.,
the election of fund directors/trustees), the Fund-of-Funds shall vote the shares it holds
in the underlying fund in the same proportion as all votes received from the holders of the
Fund-of-Funds’ shares with respect to that proposal. |
● | If
the Fund-of-Funds is solicited to vote on a proposal for an underlying fund (e.g.,
a new sub-adviser to the underlying fund), and there is no corresponding proposal at the
Fund-of-Funds level, the Adviser shall determine the most appropriate method of voting with
respect to the underlying fund proposal. |
An
Investing Fund2 (e.g., any Voya fund), while not a Fund-of-Funds shall have the foregoing Fund-of-Funds procedure
applied to any Investing Fund that invests in one or more underlying funds. Accordingly:
● | Each
Investing Fund shall “echo” vote its interests in an underlying fund if the underlying
fund has shareholders other than the Investing Fund; |
● | In
the event an underlying fund has no other shareholders and the Investing Fund and the underlying
fund are solicited to vote on the same proposal, the Investing Fund shall vote its interests
in the underlying fund in the same proportion as all votes received from the holders of its
own shares on that proposal; and |
● | In
the event an underlying fund has no other shareholders, and no corresponding proposal exists
at the Investing Fund level, the Board shall determine the most appropriate method of voting
with respect to the underlying fund proposal. |
A
fund that is a “Feeder Fund” in a master-feeder structure passes votes requested by the underlying master fund to its shareholders.
Meaning that, if the master fund solicits the Feeder Fund, the Feeder Fund shall request instructions from its own shareholders as to
how it should vote its interest in an underlying master fund either directly or in the case of an insurance-dedicated Fund through an
insurance product or retirement plan.
1 Invest in underlying funds beyond
12d-1 limits.
2 Invest in underlying funds but not
beyond 12d-1 limits.
When
a Fund is a feeder in a master-feeder structure, proxies for the master fund’s portfolio securities shall be voted pursuant to
the master fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures. As such, Feeder Funds shall not be subject to the Procedures and Guidelines
except as described in the Reporting and Record Retention section below.
Securities
Lending
Many
of the Funds participate in securities lending arrangements that generate additional revenue for the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund is unable
to vote securities that are on loan under these arrangements. However, under certain circumstances, for voting issues that may have a
significant impact on the investment, members of the Proxy Committee or AO Team may request that the Fund’s securities lending
agent recall securities on loan if they determine that the benefit of voting outweighs the costs and lost revenue to the Fund as well
as the administrative burden of retrieving the securities.
Investment
Professionals may also deem a vote to be “material” in the context of the portfolio(s) they manage. They may therefore request
that the Proxy Committee review lending activity on behalf of their portfolio(s) with respect to the relevant security and consider recalling
and/or restricting the security. The Proxy Committee shall give primary consideration to relevant Investment Professional input in its
determination as to whether a given proxy vote is material and if the associated security should accordingly be restricted from lending.
The determination that a vote is material in the context of a Fund’s portfolio shall not mean that such vote is considered material
across all Funds voting at that meeting. In order to recall or restrict shares on a timely basis for material voting purposes the AO
Team shall use best efforts to consider and, when appropriate, act upon such requests on a timely basis. Any relevant Investment Professional
may submit a request to review lending activity in connection with a potentially material vote for the Proxy Committee’s consideration
at any time.
Reporting
and Record Retention
Reporting
by the Funds
Annually,
as required, each Fund and each Sub-Adviser-Voted Fund shall post on the Voya Funds’ website its proxy voting record or a link
to the prior one-year period ended June 30. The proxy voting record for each Fund and each Sub-Adviser-Voted Fund shall also be
available on Form N-PX in the SEC’s EDGAR database on its website. For any Fund that is a feeder within a master-feeder structure,
no proxy voting record related to the portfolio securities owned by the master fund shall be posted on the Funds’ website or included
in the Fund’s Form N-PX; however, a cross-reference to the master fund’s proxy voting record as filed in the SEC’s
EDGAR database shall be included in the Fund’s Form N-PX and posted on the Funds’ website. If an underlying master fund solicited
any Feeder Fund for a vote during the reporting period, a record of the votes cast by means of the pass-through process described above
shall be included on the Voya funds’ website and in the Feeder Fund’s Form N-PX.
Reporting
to the Compliance Committee
At
each quarterly Compliance Committee meeting the AO Team shall provide to the Compliance Committee a report outlining each proxy proposal,
or a summary of such proposals, that was:
1. | Voted
Out-of-Guidelines; and/or |
2. | When
the Proxy Committee did not agree with an Investment Professional’s recommendation,
as assessed when the Investment Professional raises a potential conflict of interest. |
The
report shall include the name of the issuer, the substance of the proposal, a summary of the Investment Professional’s recommendation
as applicable, and the reasons for voting or recommending an Out-of-Guidelines Vote or in the case of (2) above a vote which differed
from that recommended by the Investment Professional.
Reporting
by the AO Team on behalf of the Adviser
The
Adviser shall maintain the records required by Rule 204-2(c)(2), as may be amended from time to time, including the following:
● | A
copy of each proxy statement received regarding a Fund’s portfolio securities. Such
proxy statements the issuers send are available either in the SEC’s EDGAR database
or upon request from the Proxy Advisory Firm; |
● | A
record of each vote cast on behalf of a Fund; |
● | A
copy of any Adviser-created document that was material to making a proxy vote decision or
that memorializes the basis for that decision; |
● | A
copy of written requests for Fund proxy voting information and any written response thereto
or to any oral request for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of a Fund; |
● | A
record of all recommendations from Investment Professionals to vote contrary to these Guidelines;
|
● | All
proxy questions/recommendations that have been referred to the Compliance Committee; and |
● | All
applicable recommendations, analyses, research, Conflict Reports, and vote determinations. |
All
proxy voting materials and supporting documentation shall be retained for a minimum of six years.
Records
Maintained by the Proxy Advisory Firm
The
Proxy Advisory Firm shall retain a record of all proxy votes handled by the Proxy Advisory Firm. Such record must reflect all the information
required to be disclosed in a Fund’s Form N-PX pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Additionally,
the Proxy Advisory Firm shall be responsible for maintaining copies of all proxy statements received by issuers and to promptly provide
such materials to the Adviser upon request.
PROXY
VOTING GUIDELINES
Introduction
Proxies
shall be voted in the Funds’ best interests. These Guidelines summarize the Funds’ positions regarding certain matters of
importance to shareholders and provide an indication as to how the Funds’ ballots shall be voted for certain types of proposals.
These Guidelines are not exhaustive and do not provide guidance on all potential voting matters. Proposals may be addressed on a CASE-BY-CASE
basis rather than according to these Guidelines when assessing the merits of available rationale and disclosure.
These
Guidelines apply to securities of publicly traded issuers and to those of privately held issuers if publicly available disclosure permits
such application. All matters for which such disclosure is not available shall be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Investment
Professionals are encouraged to submit recommendations to the AO Team regarding proxy voting matters relating to the portfolio securities
over which they have daily portfolio management responsibility. Investment Professionals may submit recommendations in connection with
any proposal and they are likely to receive requests for recommendations relating to proxies for private equity or fixed income securities
and/or proposals relating to merger transactions/corporate restructurings, proxy contests, or unusual or controversial issues.
Interpretation
and application of these Guidelines is not intended to supersede any law, regulation, binding agreement, or other legal requirement to
which an issuer may be or become subject. No proposal shall be supported where implementation would contravene such requirements.
General
Policies
The
Funds generally support the recommendation of an issuer’s management when the Proxy Advisory Firm’s recommendation also aligns
with such recommendation and to vote in accordance with the Proxy Advisory Firm’s recommendation when management has made no recommendation.
However, this policy shall not apply to CASE-BY-CASE proposals for which a contrary recommendation from the relevant Investment
Professional(s) is utilized.
The
rationale and vote recommendation from Investment Professionals shall receive primary consideration with respect to CASE-BY-CASE
proposals considered on the relevant Fund’s behalf.
The
Fund’s policy is to not support proposals that would negatively impact the existing rights of the Funds’ beneficial owners.
Shareholder proposals shall not be supported if they impose excessive costs and/or are overly restrictive or prescriptive. Depending
on the relevant market, appropriate opposition may be expressed as an ABSTAIN, AGAINST, or WITHHOLD vote.
In
the event competing shareholder and board proposals appear on the same agenda at uncontested proxies, the shareholder proposal shall
not be supported and the management proposal shall be supported when the management proposal meets the factors for support under the
relevant topic/policy (e.g., Allocation of Income and Dividends); the competing proposals shall otherwise be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE
basis.
International
Policies
Companies
incorporated outside the U.S. are subject to the following U.S. policies if they are listed on a U.S. exchange and treated as a U.S.
domestic issuer by the SEC. Where applicable, certain U.S. policies may also be applied to issuers incorporated outside the U.S. (e.g.,
issuers with a significant base of U.S. operations and employees).
However,
given the differing regulatory and legal requirements, market practices, and political and economic systems existing in various international
markets, the Funds shall:
● | Vote
AGAINST international proposals when the Proxy Advisory Firm recommends voting AGAINST
such proposal due to inadequate relevant disclosure by the issuer or time provided for
consideration of such disclosure; |
● | Consider
proposals that are associated with a firm AGAINST vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis
when the Proxy Advisory Firm recommends support when: |
| ● | The
issuer or market transitions to better practices (e.g., committing to new regulations
or governance codes); |
| ● | The
market standard is stricter than the Fund’s Guidelines; and/or |
| ● | It
is the more favorable choice when shareholders must choose between alternate proposals. |
Proposal
Specific Policies
As
mentioned above, these Guidelines may be overridden in any case as provided for in the Procedures. Similarly, the Procedures outline
the proposals with Guidelines that prescribe a firm voting position that may instead be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis when
unusual or controversial circumstances so dictate, in such circumstances the AO Team may deem it appropriate to seek input from the relevant
Investment Professional(s).
Proxy
Contests:
Votes
in contested elections on shall be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis with primary consideration given to input from the relevant
Investment Professional(s).
Uncontested
Proxies:
Overview
The
Funds may indicate disagreement with an issuer’s policies or practices by withholding support from the relevant proposal rather
than from the director nominee(s) to which the Proxy Advisory Firm assigns fault or assigns an association.
The
Funds shall withhold support from director(s) deemed responsible in cases in which the Funds’ disagreement is assigned to the board
of directors. Responsibility may be attributed to the entire board, a committee, or an individual, and the Funds shall apply a vote accountability
guideline (“Vote Accountability Guideline”) specific to the concerns under review. For example:
● | Relevant
committee chair; |
● | Relevant
committee member(s); and/or |
● | Board
chair. |
If
any director to whom responsibility has been attributed is not standing for election (e.g., the board is classified) support
shall typically not be withheld from other directors in their stead. Additionally, the Funds shall typically vote FOR a
director in connection with issues the Proxy Advisory Firm raises if the director did not serve on the board or relevant
committee during the majority of the time period relevant to the concerns the Proxy Advisory Firm cited.
The
Funds shall vote with the Proxy Advisory Firm’s recommendation when more candidates are presented than available seats and no other
provisions under these Guidelines apply.
Vote
with the Proxy Advisory Firm’s recommendation to withhold support from the legal entity and vote on the individual when a director
holds one seat as an individual plus an additional seat as a representative of a legal entity.
Bundled
Director Slates
The
Funds shall WITHHOLD support from directors or slates of directors when they are presented in a manner not aligned with market
best practice and/or regulation, irrespective of complying with independence requirements, such as:
● | Bundled
slates of directors (e.g., Canada, France, Hong Kong, or Spain); |
● | In
markets with term lengths capped by regulation or market practice, directors whose terms
exceed the caps or are not disclosed; or |
● | Directors
whose names are not disclosed in advance of the meeting or far enough in advance relative
to voting deadlines to make an informed voting decision. |
For
issuers with multiple slates in Italy, the Funds shall follow the Proxy Advisory Firm’s standards for assessing which
slate is best suited to represent shareholder interests.
Independence
Director
and Board/Committee Independence
The
Funds expect boards and key committees to have an appropriate level of independence and shall accordingly consider the Proxy Advisory
Firm’s standards to determine that adequate level of independence. A director would be deemed non-independent if the individual
had/has a relationship with the issuer that could potentially influence the individual’s objectivity causing the inability to satisfy
fiduciary standards on behalf of shareholders. Audit, compensation/remuneration, and nominating and/or governance committees are considered
key committees and should be 100% independent. The Funds shall consider the Proxy Advisory Firm’s standards and generally accepted
best practice (collectively “Independence Expectations”) with respect to determining director independence and Board/Committee
independence levels. Note: Non-voting directors (e.g., director emeritus or advisory director) shall be excluded
from calculations relating to board independence.
The
Funds shall consider non-independent directors standing for election on a Case-by-Case
basis when the full board or committee does not meet Independence Expectations. Additionally, the Funds shall:
● | WITHHOLD
support from the non-independent nominating committee chair or non-independent board
chair, and if necessary, fewest non-independent directors, including the Founder, Chair,
or Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) if their removal would achieve the independence
requirements across the remaining board or key committee, except that support may be withheld
from additional directors whose relative level of independence cannot be differentiated,
or the number required to achieve the independence requirements is equal to or greater than
the number of non-independent directors standing for election; |
● | WITHHOLD
support from the nominating committee chair or board chair if the board chair is non-independent
and the board does not have a lead independent director; |
● | WITHHOLD
support from slates of directors if the board’s independence cannot be ascertained
due to inadequate disclosure or when the board’s independence does not meet Independence
Expectations; |
● | WITHHOLD
support from key committee slates if they contain non-independent directors; and/or |
● | WITHHOLD
support from non-independent nominating committee chair, board chair, and/or directors
if the full board serves or appears to serve as a key committee, the board has not established
a key committee, or the board and/or a key committee(s) does not meet Independence Expectations.
|
Self-Nominated/Shareholder-Nominated
Director Candidates
The
Funds shall consider self-nominated or shareholder-nominated director candidates on a CASE-BY-CASE basis and shall WITHHOLD
support from the candidate when:
● | Adequate
disclosure has not been provided (e.g., rationale for candidacy and candidate’s
qualifications relative to the issuer); |
● | The
candidate’s agenda is not in line with the long-term best interests of the issuer;
or |
● | Multiple
self-nominated candidates are considered to constitute a proxy contest if similar issues
are raised (e.g., potential change in control). |
Management
Proposals Seeking Non-Board Member Service on Key Committees
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals that permit non-board members to serve on the audit, remuneration (compensation), nominating,
and/or governance committee, provided that bundled slates may be supported if no slate nominee serves on relevant committee(s) except
in cases in which best market practice otherwise dictates.
The
Funds shall consider other concerns regarding committee members on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Board
Member Roles and Responsibilities
Attendance
The
Funds shall WITHHOLD support from a director who, during both of the most recent two years, has served on the board during the
two-year period but attended less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings with no valid reason for the absences or if their
two-year attendance record cannot be ascertained from available disclosure (e.g., the issuer did not disclose which director(s)
attended less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings during the director’s period of service without valid reasons
for their absences).
The
Funds shall WITHHOLD support from nominating committee members according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if a director has
three or more years of poor attendance without a valid reason for their absences.
The
Funds shall apply a two-year attendance policy relating to statutory auditors at Japanese issuer meetings.
Over-boarding
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST directors who serve on:
● | More
than two public issuer boards and are named executive officers at any public issuer, and
shall WITHHOLD support only at their outside board(s); |
● | Six
or more public issuer boards; or |
● | Four
or more public issuer boards and is Board Chair at two or more public issuers and shall WITHHOLD
support on boards for which such director does not serve as chair. |
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST shareholder proposals limiting the number of public issuer boards on which a director may serve.
Combined
Chair / CEO Role
The
Funds shall vote FOR directors without regard to recommendations that the position of chair should be separate from that of CEO
or should otherwise require independence unless other concerns requiring Case-by-Case
consideration arise (e.g., a former CEO proposed as board chair).
The
Funds shall consider shareholder proposals that require that the positions of chair and CEO be held separately on a CASE-BY-CASE
basis.
Cumulative/Net
Voting Markets
When
cumulative or net voting applies, the Funds shall follow the Proxy Advisory Firm’s recommendation to vote FOR nominees,
such as when the issuer assesses that such nominees are independent, irrespective of key committee membership, even if independence disclosure
or criteria fall short of the Proxy Advisory Firm’s standards.
Board
Accountability
Board
Diversity
United
States:
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST directors according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if no women are on the issuer’s board.
The Funds shall consider directors on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if gender diversity existed prior to the most recent annual meeting.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST directors according to the Vote Accountability Guideline when the board has no apparent racially or ethnically
diverse members. The Funds shall consider directors on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if racial and/or ethnic diversity existed prior to
the most recent annual meeting.
Diversity
(Shareholder Proposals):
The
Funds shall generally vote FOR shareholder proposals that request the issuer to improve/promote gender and/or racial/ethnic diversity
and/or gender and/or racial/ethnic diversity-related disclosure.
International:
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST directors according to the Vote Accountability Guideline when no women are on the issuer’s board
or if its board’s gender diversity level does not meet a higher standard established by the relevant country’s corporate
governance code and generally accepted best practice.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST directors according to the Vote Accountability Guideline when the relevant country’s corporate
governance code contains a minimally acceptable threshold for racial/ethnic diversity and the board does not appear to meet this expectation.
Return
on Equity
The
Funds shall vote FOR the most senior executive at an issuer in Japan if the only reason the Proxy Advisory Firm
withholds its recommendation results from the issuer underperforming in terms of capital efficiency or issuer performance (e.g.,
net losses or low return on equity (ROE)).
Compensation
Practices
The
Funds may WITHHOLD support from compensation committee members whose actions or disclosure do not appear to support compensation
practices aligned with the best interests of the issuer and its shareholders.
“Say
on Pay” Responsiveness. The Funds shall consider compensation committee members on a CASE-BY-CASE basis for failure
to sufficiently address compensation concerns prompting significant opposition to the most recent advisory vote on executive officers’
compensation, “Say on Pay”, or continuing to maintain problematic pay practices, considering such factors as the level of
shareholder opposition, subsequent actions taken by the compensation committee, and level of responsiveness disclosure, among others.
“Say
on Pay Frequency”. The Funds shall WITHHOLD support according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if the Proxy Advisory
Firm opposes directors due to the issuer’s failure to include a “Say on Pay” proposal and/or a “Say on Pay Frequency”
proposal when required pursuant to SEC or market regulatory provisions; or implemented a “Say on Pay Frequency” schedule
that is less frequent than the frequency most recently preferred by not less than a plurality of shareholders; or is an externally-managed
issuer (EMI) or externally-managed REIT (EMR) and has failed to include a “Say on Pay” proposal or adequate disclosure of
the compensation structure.
Commitments.
The Funds shall vote FOR compensation committee members receiving an adverse recommendation from the Proxy Advisory Firm due to
problematic pay practices or thresholds (e.g., burn rate) if the issuer makes a public commitment (e.g., via a Form 8-K
filing) to rectify the practice on a going-forward basis. However, the Funds shall consider such proposal on a CASE-BY-CASE basis
if the issuer does not rectify the practice prior to the issuer’s next annual general meeting.
For
markets in which the issuer has not followed market practice by submitting a resolution on executive remuneration/compensation,
the Funds shall consider remuneration/compensation committee members on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Accounting
Practices
The
Funds shall consider audit committee members, the issuer’s CEO or Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) when nominated as
directors, or the board chair or lead director on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if poor accounting practice concerns are raised, considering,
but not limited to, the following factors:
● | Audit
committee failed to remediate known ongoing material weaknesses in the issuer’s internal
controls for more than one year; |
● | Issuer
has not yet had a full year to remediate the concerns since the time such issues were identified;
and/or |
● | Issuer
has taken adequate steps to remediate the concerns cited that would typically include removing
or replacing the responsible executives and the concerning issues do not recur. |
The
Funds shall vote FOR audit committee members, or the issuer’s CEO or CFO when nominated as directors, who did not serve
on the committee or did not have responsibility over the relevant financial function during the majority of the time period relevant
to the concerns cited.
The
Funds shall WITHHOLD support on audit committee members according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if the issuer has failed
to disclose audit fees and has not provided an auditor ratification or remuneration proposal for shareholder vote.
Problematic
Actions
The
Funds shall consider directors on a CASE-BY-CASE basis when the Proxy Advisory Firm cites them for problematic actions including
a lack of due diligence in relation to a major transaction (e.g., a merger or an acquisition), material failures, inadequate oversight,
scandals, malfeasance, or negligent internal controls at the issuer or that of an affiliate, factoring in the merits of the director’s
performance, rationale, and disclosure when:
● | Culpability
can be attributed to the director (e.g., director manages or is responsible for the
relevant function); or |
● | The
director has been directly implicated resulting in arrest, criminal charge, or regulatory
sanction. |
The
Funds shall consider members of the nominating committee on a CASE-BY-CASE basis when an issuer nominates a director who is subject
to any of the above concerns to serve on its board.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST applicable directors due to share pledging concerns factoring in the pledged amount, unwinding
time, and any historical concerns raised. Responsibility shall be assigned to the pledgor, where the pledged amount and unwinding time
are deemed significant and therefore an unnecessary risk to the issuer.
The
Funds shall WITHHOLD support from (a) all members of the governance committee or nominating committee if a formal governance committee
has not been established, and (b) directors holding shares with superior voting rights if the issuer is controlled by means of a dual
class share with superior/exclusive voting rights and does not have a reasonable sunset provision (e.g., fewer than five (5) years).
The
Funds shall WITHHOLD support from incumbent directors (tenure of more than one year) if (a) no governance or nominating committee
directors are under consideration or the issuer does not have governance or nominating committees, and (b) no director holding the shares
with superior voting rights is under consideration; otherwise, the Funds shall consider all directors on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Investment Professionals who have daily portfolio management responsibility for such issuers may be required to submit a recommendation
to the AO Team.
The
Funds shall WITHHOLD support from directors according to the Vote Accountability Guideline when the Proxy Advisory Firm recommends
withholding support due to the board (a) unilaterally adopting by-law amendments that have a negative impact on existing shareholder
rights or function as a diminution of shareholder rights and which are not specifically addressed under these Guidelines, or (b) failing
to remove or subject to a reasonable sunset provision in its by-laws.
Anti-Takeover
Measures
The
Funds shall WITHHOLD support from directors according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if the issuer implements excessive
anti-takeover measures.
The
Funds shall WITHHOLD support from directors according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if the issuer fails to remove restrictive
“poison pill” features, ensure a “poison pill” expiration, or submits the “poison pill” in a timely
manner to shareholders for vote unless an issuer has implemented a policy that should reasonably prevent abusive use of its “poison
pill”.
Board
Responsiveness
The
Funds shall vote FOR directors if the majority-supported shareholder proposal has been reasonably addressed.
| ○ | Proposals
seeking shareholder ratification of a “poison pill” provision may be deemed reasonably
addressed if the issuer has implemented a policy that should reasonably prevent abusive use
of the “poison pill”. |
The
Funds shall WITHHOLD support from directors according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if a shareholder proposal received
majority support and the board has not disclosed a credible rationale for not implementing the proposal.
The
Funds shall WITHHOLD support on a director if the board has not acted upon the director who did not receive shareholder support
representing a majority of the votes cast at the previous annual meeting; and shall consider such directors on a CASE-BY-CASE
basis if the issuer has a controlling shareholder(s).
The
Funds shall vote FOR directors in cases in which an issue relevant to the majority negative vote has been adequately addressed
or cured and which may include sufficient disclosure of the board’s rationale.
Board–Related
Proposals
Classified/Declassified
Board Structure
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals to classify the board unless the proposal represents an increased frequency of a director’s
election in the staggered cycle (e.g., seeking to move from a three-year cycle to a two-year cycle).
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.
Board
Structure
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals to adopt or amend board structures unless the resulting change(s) would mean the board
would not meet Independence Expectations.
For
issuers in Japan, the Funds shall vote FOR proposals seeking a board structure that would provide greater independent
oversight.
Board
Size
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals seeking a board range if the range is reasonable in the context of market practice and anti-takeover
considerations; however, the Funds shall vote AGAINST a proposal if the issuer seeks to remove shareholder approval rights or
the board fails to meet market independence requirements.
Director
and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection
The
Funds shall consider proposals on director and officer indemnification and liability protection on a CASE-BY-CASE basis using
Delaware law as the standard.
The
Funds shall vote against proposals to limit or eliminate entirely directors’
and officers’ liability in connection with monetary damages for violating their collective duty of care.
The
Funds shall vote against indemnification proposals that would expand coverage beyond
legal expenses to acts that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligation such as negligence.
Director
and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection
The
Funds shall vote in accordance with the Proxy Advisory Firm’s standards (e.g., overly broad provisions).
Discharge
of Management/Supervisory Board Members
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals seeking the discharge of management and supervisory board members (including when the
proposal is bundled) unless concerns surface relating to the past actions of the issuer’s auditors or directors, or legal or other
shareholders take regulatory action against the board.
The
Funds shall vote FOR such proposals in connection with remuneration practices otherwise supported under these Guidelines or as
a means of expressing disapproval of the issuer’s or its board’s broader practices.
Establish
Board Committee
The
Funds shall vote FOR shareholder proposals that seek creation of a key board committee.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requesting creation of additional board committees or offices except as otherwise
provided for herein.
Filling
Board Vacancies / Removal of Directors
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals that allow removal of directors only for cause.
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals to restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals that allow only continuing directors to elect replacement directors to fill board vacancies.
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.
Stock
Ownership Requirements
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST such shareholder stock ownership requirement proposals.
Term
Limits / Retirement Age
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals and AGAINST shareholder proposals limiting the tenure of outside directors or
imposing a mandatory retirement age for outside directors unless the proposal seeks to relax existing standards.
Frequency
of Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals seeking an annual “Say on Pay”, and AGAINST those seeking less frequent “Say
on Pay”.
Proposals
to Provide an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Canada)
The
Funds shall vote FOR if it is an ANNUAL vote unless the issuer already provides an annual shareholder vote.
Executive
Pay Evaluation
Advisory
Votes on Executive Compensation (Say on Pay) and Remuneration Reports or Committee Members in Absence of Such Proposals
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals seeking ratification of the issuer’s executive compensation structure unless the
program includes practices or features not supported under these Guidelines and the proposal receives a negative Proxy Advisory Firm
recommendation.
Listed
below are examples of compensation practices and provisions and respective consideration and treatment under these Guidelines that factor
in whether the issuer has provided reasonable rationale/disclosure for such factors or the proposal in its entirety.
The
Funds shall consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis:
● | Short-Term
Investment Plans for which the board has exercised discretion to exclude extraordinary items; |
● | Retesting
in connection with achievement of performance hurdles; |
● | Long-Term
Incentive Plans for which executives already hold significant equity positions; |
● | Long-Term
Incentive Plans for which the vesting or performance period is too short or stringency of
performance criteria is called into question; |
● | Pay
Practices (or combination of practices) that appear to have created a misalignment between
executive(s) compensation pay and performance regarding shareholder value; |
● | Long-Term
Incentive Plans that lack an appropriate equity component (e.g., “cash-based
only”); and/or |
● | Excessive
levels of discretionary bonuses, recruitment awards, retention awards, non-compete payments,
severance/termination payments, perquisites (unreasonable levels in context of total compensation
or purpose of the incentive awards or payouts). |
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST:
● | Provisions
that permit or give the Board sole discretion for repricing, replacement, buy back, exchange,
or any other form of alternative options. (Note: cancellation of options would
not be considered an exchange unless the cancelled options were re-granted or expressly returned
to the plan reserve for reissuance.); |
● | Single
Trigger Severance provisions that do not require an actual change in control to be triggered; |
● | Plans
that allow named executive officers to have material input into setting their own compensation; |
● | Short-Term
Incentive Plans in which treatment of payout factors has been inconsistent (e.g.,
exclusion of losses but not gains); |
● | Long-Term
Incentive Plans in which performance measures hurdles/measures are set based on a backward-looking
performance period; |
● | Company
plans in international markets that provide for contract or notice periods or severance/termination
payments that exceed market practices (e.g., relative to multiple of annual compensation);
and/or |
● | Compensation
structures at externally managed issuers (EMI) or externally managed REITs (EMR) that lack
adequate disclosure based on the Proxy Advisory Firm’s assessment. |
Golden
Parachutes
The
Funds shall vote to ABSTAIN regarding “golden parachutes” if it is determined that the Funds would not have an economic
interest in such arrangements (e.g., in the case of an all-cash transaction, regardless of payout terms, amounts, thresholds,
etc.).
However,
if an economic interest exists, vote AGAINST proposals due to:
● | Single
or modified-single trigger severance provisions; |
● | Total
Named Executive Officer (“NEO”) payout as a percentage of the total equity value; |
● | Aggregate
of all single-triggered components (cash and equity) as a percentage of the total NEO payout; |
● | Excessive
payout; and/or |
● | Recent
material amendments or new agreements that incorporate problematic features. |
Equity-Based
and Other Incentive Plans Including OBRA
Equity
Compensation
The
Funds shall consider compensation and employee benefit plans, including those in connection with OBRA3, or the
issuance of shares in connection with such plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. The Funds shall vote the plan or issuance based on
factors and related vote treatment under the Executive Pay Evaluation section above or based on circumstances specific to such
equity plans as follows:
3 OBRA is an employee-funded defined
contribution plan for certain employees of publicly held companies.
The
Funds shall vote FOR a plan, if:
● | Board
independence is the only concern; |
● | Amendment
places a cap on annual grants; |
● | Amendment
adopts or changes administrative features to comply with Section 162(m) of OBRA; |
● | Amendment
adds performance-based goals to comply with Section 162(m) of OBRA; and/or |
● | Cash
or cash-and-stock bonus components are approved for exemption from taxes under Section 162(m)
of OBRA. |
| ○ | The
Funds shall give primary consideration to management’s assessment that such plan meets
the requirements for exemption of performance-based compensation. |
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST a plan if it:
● | Exceeds
recommended costs (U.S. or Canada); |
● | Incorporates
share allocation disclosure methods that prevent a cost or dilution assessment; |
● | Exceeds
recommended burn rates and/or dilution limits, including cases in which dilution cannot be
fully assessed (e.g., due to inadequate disclosure); |
● | Permits
deep or near-term discounts (or the equivalent, such as dividend equivalents on unexercised
options) to executives or directors; |
● | Provides
for retirement benefits or equity incentive awards to outside directors if not in line with
market practice; |
● | Permits
financial assistance to executives, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, or related parties
that is not in line with market practice; |
● | Permits
plan administrators to benefit from the plan as potential recipients; |
● | Permits
for an overly liberal change in control definition. (This refers to plans that would reward
recipients even if the event does not result in an actual change in control or results in
a change in control but does not terminate the employment relationship.); |
● | Permits
for post-employment vesting or exercise of options if deemed inappropriate; |
● | Permits
plan administrators to make material amendments without shareholder approval; and/or |
● | Permits
procedure amendments that do not preserve shareholder approval rights. |
Amendment
Procedures for Equity Compensation Plans and Employee Stock Purchase Plans (Toronto Stock Exchange Issuers)
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST if the amendment procedures do not preserve shareholder approval rights.
Stock
Option Plans for Independent Internal Statutory Auditors (Japan)
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST such proposals.
Matching
Share Plans
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST such proposals if the matching share plan does not meet recommended standards considering holding period,
discounts, dilution, participation, purchase price, or performance criteria.
Employee
Stock Purchase Plans or Capital Issuance in Support Thereof
Voting
decisions are generally based on the Proxy Advisory Firm’s approach to evaluating such proposals.
Director
Compensation
Non-Executive
Director Compensation
The
Funds shall vote FOR cash-based proposals.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST performance-based equity-based proposals and patterns of excessive pay.
Bonus
Payments (Japan)
The
Funds shall vote FOR if all bonus payments are for directors or auditors who have served as executives of the issuer and AGAINST
if any bonus payments are for outsiders.
Bonus
Payments – Scandals
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST bonus proposals for a retiring director or continuing director or auditor when culpability for any malfeasance
may be attributable to the nominee.
The
Funds shall consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis bundled bonus proposals for retiring directors or continuing directors or auditors
where culpability for malfeasance may not be attributable to all nominees.
Severance
Agreements
Vesting
of Equity Awards upon Change in Control
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals seeking a specific treatment (e.g., double-trigger or pro-rata) of equity that
vests upon change in control unless evidence exists of abuse in historical compensation practices.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST shareholder proposals regarding the treatment of equity if change(s) in control severance provisions
are double-triggered. The funds shall vote FOR the proposal if such provisions are not double-triggered.
Executive
Severance or Termination Arrangements, including those Related to Executive Recruitment or Retention
The
Funds shall vote FOR such compensation arrangements if:
● | The
primary concerns raised would not result in a negative vote under these Guidelines on a management
“Say on Pay” proposal or the relevant board or committee member(s); |
● | The
issuer has provided adequate rationale and/or disclosure; or |
● | Support
is recommended as a condition to a major transaction such as a merger. |
Treatment
of Severance Provisions
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST new or materially amended plans, contracts, or payments that include a single trigger change in control
severance provisions or do not require an actual change in control in order to be triggered.
The
Funds shall vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking double triggers on change in control severance provisions.
Compensation-Related
Shareholder Proposals
Executive
and Director Compensation
The
Funds shall consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis shareholder proposals that seek to impose new compensation structures or policies.
Holding
Periods
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring mandatory issuer stock holding periods for officers and directors.
Submit
Severance and Termination Payments for Shareholder Ratification
The
Funds shall vote FOR shareholder proposals to submit executive severance agreements for shareholder ratification if such proposals
specify change in control events, supplemental executive retirement plans, or deferred executive compensation plans, or if the listing
exchange requires ratification thereof.
Auditor
Ratification and/or Remuneration
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals except in such cases as indicated below.
The
Funds shall consider auditor ratification and/or remuneration on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if:
● | The
Proxy Advisory Firm raises questions of auditor independence or disclosure including the
auditor selection process; |
● | Total
fees for non-audit services exceed 50 percent of aggregated auditor fees (including audit-related
fees, and tax compliance and preparation fees as applicable); or |
● | Evidence
exists of excessive compensation relative to the size and nature of the issuer. |
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST an auditor ratification and/or remuneration proposal if the issuer has failed to disclose audit fees.
The
Funds shall vote FOR shareholder proposals that ask the issuer to present its auditor for ratification annually.
Auditor
Independence
The
Funds shall consider shareholder proposals asking issuers to prohibit their auditors from engaging in non-audit services (or capping
the level of non-audit services) on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Audit
Firm Rotation
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST shareholder proposals asking for mandatory audit firm rotation.
Indemnification
of Auditors
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST auditor indemnification proposals.
Independent
Statutory Auditors (Japan)
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST an independent statutory auditor proposal if the candidate is or was affiliated with the issuer, its
primary bank(s), or one of its top shareholders.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST incumbent directors implicated in scandals, malfeasance, or at issuers exhibiting poor internal controls.
The
Funds shall vote FOR remuneration so long as the amount is not excessive (e.g., significant increases should be supported
by adequate rationale and disclosure), no evidence of abuse is evident, the recipient’s overall compensation appears reasonable,
and the board and/or responsible committee meet exchange or market independence standards.
4- | Shareholder
Rights and Defenses |
Advance
Notice for Shareholder Proposals
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals relating to advance notice period requirements provided that the period requested is
in accordance with applicable law and no material governance concerns have arisen regarding the issuer.
Corporate
Documents / Article and Bylaw Amendments or Related Director Actions
The
Funds shall vote FOR such proposal if the change or policy is editorial in nature or if shareholder rights are protected.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST such proposal if it seeks to impose a negative impact on shareholder rights or diminishes accountability
to shareholders including cases in which the issuer failed to opt out of a law that affects shareholder rights (e.g., staggered
board).
The
Funds shall, with respect to article amendments for Japanese issuers:
● | Vote
FOR management proposals to amend an issuer’s articles to expand its business
lines in line with its current industry; |
● | Vote
FOR management proposals to amend an issuer’s articles to provide for an expansion
or reduction in the size of the board unless the expansion/reduction is clearly disproportionate
to the growth/decrease in the scale of the business or raises anti-takeover concerns; |
● | If
anti-takeover concerns exist, the Funds shall vote AGAINST management proposals including
bundled proposals to amend an issuer’s articles to authorize the Board to vary the
annual meeting record date or to otherwise align them with provisions of a takeover defense;
and/or |
● | Follow
the Proxy Advisory Firm’s guidelines relating to management proposals regarding amendments
to authorize share repurchases at the board’s discretion, and vote AGAINST proposals
unless there is little to no likelihood of a creeping takeover or constraints on liquidity
(free float of shares is low) and in cases in which the issuer trades at below book value
or faces a real likelihood of substantial share sales, or in which this amendment is bundled
with other amendments that are clearly in shareholders’ interest. |
Majority
Voting Standard
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals that seek director election via an affirmative majority vote in connection with a shareholder meeting
provided such vote contains a plurality carve-out for contested elections and provided such standard does not conflict with applicable
law in the issuer’s country of incorporation.
The
Funds shall vote FOR amendments to corporate documents or other actions promoting a majority standard.
Cumulative
Voting
The
Funds shall vote FOR shareholder proposals to restore or permit cumulative voting.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST management proposals to eliminate cumulative voting if the issuer:
● | Maintains
a classified board of directors; or |
● | Maintains
a dual class voting structure. |
Proposals
may be supported irrespective of classified board status if an issuer plans to declassify its board or adopt a majority voting standard.
Confidential
Voting
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals to adopt confidential voting.
The
Funds shall vote FOR shareholder proposals that request issuers to adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators, and
use independent election inspectors so long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows:
● | In
the case of a contested election management should be permitted to request that the dissident
group honors its confidential voting policy; |
● | If
the dissidents agree the policy shall remain in place; and |
● | If
the dissidents do not agree the confidential voting policy shall be waived. |
Fair
Price Provisions
The
Funds shall consider proposals to adopt fair price provisions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST fair price provisions containing shareholder vote requirements greater than a majority of disinterested
shares.
Poison
Pills
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST management proposals in connection with poison pills or anti-takeover activities (e.g., disclosure
requirements or issuances, transfers, or repurchases) that can be reasonably construed as an anti-takeover measure based on the Proxy
Advisory Firm’s approach to evaluating such proposals.
The
Funds shall vote FOR shareholder proposals that ask an issuer to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification or to redeem
that poison pill in lieu thereof, unless:
● | Shareholders
have approved the plan’s adoption; |
● | The
issuer has already implemented a policy that should reasonably prevent abusive use of the
poison pill; or |
● | The
board had determined that it was in the best interest of shareholders to adopt a poison pill
without delay, provided that such plan shall be put to shareholder vote within twelve months
of adoption or expire and would immediately terminate if not approved by a majority of the
votes cast. |
The
Funds shall consider shareholder proposals to redeem an issuer’s poison pill on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Proxy
Access
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals to allow shareholders to nominate directors and list those nominees in the issuer’s proxy
statement and on its proxy card, provided that criteria meet the Funds’ internal thresholds and that such standard does not conflict
with applicable law in the country in which the issuer is incorporated. The Funds shall consider shareholder and management proposals
that appear on the same agenda on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals also supported by the Proxy Advisory Firm.
Quorum
Requirements
The
Funds shall consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to lower quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority
of the shares outstanding.
Exclusive
Forum
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals to designate Delaware or New York as the exclusive forum for certain legal actions as
defined by the issuer (“Exclusive Forum”) if the issuer’s state of incorporation is the same as its proposed Exclusive
Forum, otherwise they shall consider such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Reincorporation
Proposals
The
Funds shall consider proposals to change an issuer’s state of incorporation on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals not assessed as:
● | A
potential takeover defense; or |
● | A
significant reduction of minority shareholder rights that outweigh the aggregate positive
impact, but if assessed as such the Funds shall consider management’s rationale for
the change. |
The
Funds shall vote FOR management reincorporation proposals upon which another key proposal, such as a merger transaction, is contingent
if the other key proposal is also supported.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST shareholder reincorporation proposals not supported by the issuer.
Shareholder
Advisory Committees
The
Funds shall consider proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Right
to Call Special Meetings
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals to permit shareholders to call special meetings.
The
Funds shall consider management proposals to adjust the thresholds applicable to call a special meeting on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
The
Funds shall vote FOR shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings when any of the
following apply:
● | Company
does not currently permit shareholders to do so; |
● | Existing
ownership threshold is greater than 25 percent; or |
● | Sole
concern relates to a net-long position requirement. |
Written
Consent
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking the right to act via written consent if the issuer:
● | Permits
shareholders to call special meetings; |
● | Does
not impose supermajority vote requirements on business combinations/actions (e.g.,
a merger or acquisition) and on bylaw or charter amendments; and |
● | Has
otherwise demonstrated its accountability to shareholders (e.g., the issuer has reasonably
addressed majority-supported shareholder proposals). |
The
Funds shall vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking the right to act via written consent if the above conditions are not present.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST management proposals to eliminate the right to act via written consent.
State
Takeover Statutes
The
Funds shall consider proposals to opt-in or out of state takeover statutes (including control share acquisition statutes, control share
cash-out statutes, freeze-out provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor
contract provisions, anti-greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions) on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Supermajority
Shareholder Vote Requirement
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote and FOR proposals to lower supermajority
shareholder vote requirements, except:
The
Funds shall consider such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the issuer has shareholder(s) holding significant ownership percentages
and retaining existing supermajority requirements would protect minority shareholder interests.
Time-Phased
Voting
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals to implement and FOR proposals to eliminate time-phased or other forms of voting that
do not promote a “one share, one vote” standard.
5- | Capital
and Restructuring |
The
Funds shall consider management proposals to make changes to the capital structure not otherwise addressed under these Guidelines, on
a CASE-BY-CASE basis, voting with the Proxy Advisory Firm’s recommendation unless they utilize a contrary recommendation
from the relevant Investment Professional(s).
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals authorizing excessive board discretion.
Capital
Common
Stock Authorization
The
Funds shall consider proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
The Proxy Advisory Firm’s proprietary approach of determining appropriate thresholds shall be utilized in evaluating such proposals.
In cases in which such requests are above the allowable threshold the Funds shall utilize an issuer-specific qualitative review (e.g.,
considering rationale and prudent historical usage).
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals within the Proxy Advisory Firm’s permissible thresholds or those in excess of but meeting
Proxy Advisory Firm’s qualitative standards, to authorize capital increases, unless the issuer states that the additionally issued
stock may be used as a takeover defense.
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals to authorize capital increases exceeding the Proxy Advisory Firm’s thresholds when an issuer’s
shares are at risk of delisting.
Notwithstanding
the above, the Funds shall vote AGAINST:
● | Proposals
to increase the number of authorized shares of a class of stock if these Guidelines do not
support the issuance which the increase is intended to service (e.g., merger or acquisition
proposals). |
Dual
Class Capital Structures
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST:
● | Proposals
to create or perpetuate dual class capital structures with unequal voting rights (e.g.,
exchange offers, conversions, and recapitalizations) unless supported by the Proxy Advisory
Firm (e.g., utilize a “one share, one vote” standard, contain a sunset
provision of five years or fewer to avert bankruptcy or generate non-dilutive financing,
or are not designed to increase the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder). |
● | Proposals
to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of stock that has superior voting
rights in issuers that have dual-class capital structures. |
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals to eliminate dual-class capital structures.
General
Share Issuances / Increases in Authorized Capital
The
Funds shall consider specific issuance requests on a Case-by-Case basis based on
the proposed use and the issuer’s rationale.
The
Proxy Advisory Firm’s assessment shall govern Fund voting decisions to determine support for requests for general issuances (with
or without preemptive rights), authorized capital increases, convertible bonds issuances, warrants issuances, or related requests to
repurchase and reissue shares.
Preemptive
Rights
The
Funds shall consider shareholder proposals that seek preemptive rights or management proposals that seek to eliminate them on a CASE-BY-CASE
basis. In evaluating proposals on preemptive rights, the Funds shall consider an issuer’s size and shareholder base characteristics.
Adjustments
to Par Value of Common Stock
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock unless doing so raises other concerns not otherwise
supported under these Guidelines.
Preferred
Stock
Utilize
the Proxy Advisory Firm's approach for evaluating issuances or authorizations of preferred stock considering the Proxy Advisory Firm's
support of special circumstances such as mergers or acquisitions in addition to the following criteria:
The
Funds shall consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to increase the number of shares of “blank check” preferred
shares or preferred stock authorized for issuance. This approach incorporates both qualitative and quantitative measures including a
review of:
● | Past
performance (e.g., board governance, shareholder returns, and historical share usage);
and |
● | The
current request (e.g., rationale, whether shares are “blank check” and
“declawed”, and dilutive impact as determined through the Proxy Advisory Firm’s
model for assessing appropriate thresholds). |
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals authorizing issuance of preferred stock or creation of new classes of preferred stock having
unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights (“blank check” preferred stock).
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals to issue or create “blank check” preferred stock in cases in which the issuer expressly
states that the stock shall not be used as a takeover defense or not utilize a disparate voting rights structure.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST in cases in which the issuer expressly states that, or fails to disclose whether, the stock
may be used as a takeover defense.
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals to authorize or issue preferred stock in cases in which the issuer specifies the voting, dividend,
conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.
Preferred
Stock (International)
Fund
voting decisions should generally be based on the Proxy Advisory Firm’s approach, and the Funds shall:
● | Vote
FOR the creation of a new class of preferred stock or issuances of preferred stock
up to 50 percent of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely
affect the rights of existing shareholders; |
● | Vote
FOR the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock so long as the maximum number
of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets the Proxy Advisory Firm’s
guidelines on equity issuance requests; and |
● | Vote
AGAINST the creation of: |
(1)
A new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting rights to common shares; or
(2)
“Blank check” preferred stock unless the board states that the authorization shall not be used to thwart a takeover bid.
Shareholder
Proposals Regarding Blank Check Preferred Stock
The
Funds shall vote FOR shareholder proposals requesting shareholder ratification of “blank check” preferred stock placements
other than those shares issued for the purpose of raising capital or making acquisitions in the normal course of business.
Share
Repurchase Programs
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate
on equal terms but vote AGAINST plans containing terms favoring selected parties.
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals to cancel repurchased shares.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals for share repurchase methods lacking adequate risk mitigation or exceeding appropriate market
volume or duration parameters.
The
Funds shall consider shareholder proposals seeking share repurchase programs on a CASE-BY-CASE basis giving primary consideration
to input from the relevant Investment Professional(s).
Stock
Distributions: Splits and Dividends
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split provided that the increase
in authorized shares falls within the Proxy Advisory Firm’s allowable thresholds.
Reverse
Stock Splits
The
Funds shall consider management proposals to implement a reverse stock split on a CASE-BY-CASE considering management’s
rationale and/or disclosure if the split constitutes a capital increase that effectively exceeds the Proxy Advisory Firm’s permissible
threshold due to the lack of a proportionate reduction in the number of shares authorized.
Allocation
of Income and Dividends
With
respect to Japanese and South Korean issuers, the Funds shall consider management proposals concerning income
allocation and the dividend distribution, including adjustments to reserves to make capital available for such purposes, on a CASE-BY-CASE
basis voting with the Proxy Advisory Firm’s recommendations to oppose such proposals for cases in which:
● | The
dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate explanation;
or |
● | The
payout is excessive given the issuer’s financial position. |
The
Funds shall vote FOR such issuer management proposals in other markets.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals in which issuers seek to establish or maintain disparate dividend distributions between stockholders
of the same share class (e.g., long-term stockholders receiving a higher dividend ratio (“Loyalty Dividends”)).
In
any market, in the event multiple proposals regarding dividends are on the same agenda the Funds shall vote FOR the management
proposal if the proposal meets the support conditions described above and shall vote AGAINST the shareholder proposal; otherwise,
the Funds shall consider such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Stock
(Scrip) Dividend Alternatives
The
Funds shall vote FOR most stock (scrip) dividend proposals but vote AGAINST proposals that do not allow for a cash option
unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value.
Tracking
Stock
The
Funds shall consider the creation of tracking stock on a CASE-BY-CASE basis giving primary consideration to the input from relevant
Investment Professional(s).
Capitalization
of Reserves
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals to capitalize the issuer’s reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase the par value
of shares unless the Proxy Advisory Firm raises concerns not otherwise supported under these Guidelines.
Debt
Instruments and Issuance Requests (International)
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals authorizing excessive board discretion to issue or set terms for debt instruments (e.g.,
commercial paper).
The
Funds shall vote FOR debt issuances for issuers when the gearing level (current debt-to-equity ratio) does not exceed the Proxy
Advisory Firm’s defined thresholds.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals in which the debt issuance will result in an excessive gearing level as set forth in the Proxy
Advisory Firm’s defined thresholds, or for which inadequate disclosure precludes calculation of the gearing level, unless the Proxy
Advisory Firm’s approach to evaluating such requests results in support of the proposal.
Acceptance
of Deposits (India)
Fund
voting decisions are based on the Proxy Advisory Firm’s approach to evaluating such proposals.
Debt
Restructurings
The
Funds shall consider proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan on
a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Financing
Plans
The
Funds shall vote FOR the adoption of financing plans if they are in shareholders’ best economic interests.
Investment
of Company Reserves (International)
The
Funds shall consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Restructuring
Mergers
and Acquisitions, Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs) and Corporate Restructurings
The
Funds shall vote FOR a proposal not typically supported under these Guidelines if a key proposal such as a merger transaction
is contingent upon its support and a vote FOR is recommended by the Proxy Advisory Firm or relevant Investment
Professional(s).
The
Funds shall consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis based on the Proxy
Advisory Firm’s evaluation approach if the relevant Investment Professional(s) do not provide input with regard thereto.
Waiver
on Tender-Bid Requirement
The
Funds shall consider proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if seeking a waiver for a major shareholder or concert party from the requirement
to make a buyout offer to minority shareholders, voting FOR when little concern of a creeping takeover exists and the issuer has
provided a reasonable rationale for the request.
Related
Party Transactions
The
Funds shall vote FOR approval of such transactions, unless the agreement requests a strategic move outside the issuer’s
charter, contains unfavorable or high-risk terms (e.g., deposits without security interest or guaranty), or is deemed likely to
have a negative impact on director or related party independence.
6- | Environmental
and Social Issues |
Environmental
and Social Proposals
Institutional
shareholders now routinely scrutinize shareholder proposals regarding environmental and social matters. Accordingly, in addition to governance
risks and opportunities, issuers should also assess their environmental and social risks and opportunities as they pertain to stakeholders
including their employees, shareholders, communities, suppliers, and customers.
Issuers
should adequately disclose how they evaluate and mitigate such material risks in order to allow shareholders to assess how well the issuers
mitigate and leverage their social and environmental risks and opportunities. Issuers should adopt disclosure methodologies considering
recommendations from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD),
or Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to foster uniform disclosure and to allow shareholders to assess risks across issuers.
Accordingly,
the Funds shall vote FOR proposals related to environmental, sustainability and corporate social responsibility if the issuer’s
disclosure and/or its management of the issue(s) appears inadequate relative to its peers and if the proposal:
● | applies
to the issuer’s business, |
● | enhances
long-term shareholder value, |
● | requests
more transparency and commitment to improve the issuer’s environmental and/or social
risks, |
● | aims
to benefit the issuer’s stakeholders, |
● | is
reasonable and not unduly onerous or costly, or |
● | is
not requesting data that is primarily duplicative to data the issuer already publicly provides. |
Environmental
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals relating to environmental impact that reasonably:
● | aim
to reduce negative environmental impact, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
and other contributing factors to global climate change; and/or |
● | request
disclosure relating to how the issuer addresses its climate impact. |
Social
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals relating to corporate social responsibility that request disclosure of how the issuer manages its:
● | employee
and board diversity; and/or |
● | human
capital management, human rights, and supply chain risks. |
Approval
of Donations
The
Funds shall vote FOR proposals if they are for single- or multi-year authorities and prior disclosure of amounts is provided.
The Funds shall otherwise vote AGAINST such proposals.
Routine
Management Proposals
The
Funds shall consider proposals for which the Proxy Advisory Firm recommends voting AGAINST on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Authority
to Call Shareholder Meetings on Less than 21 Days’ Notice
For
issuers in the United Kingdom, the Funds shall consider such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis assessing whether
the issuer has provided clear disclosure of its compliance with any hurdle conditions for authority imposed by applicable law and has
historically limited its use of such authority to time-sensitive matters.
Approval
of Financial Statements and Director and Auditor Reports
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST such proposals if concerns exist regarding inadequate disclosure, remuneration arrangements (including
severance/termination payments exceeding local standards for multiples of annual compensation), or consulting agreements with non-executive
directors.
The
Funds shall consider such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if other concerns exist regarding severance/termination payments.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST such proposals if concerns exist regarding the issuer’s financial accounts and reporting, including
related party transactions.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST board-issued reports receiving a negative recommendation from the Proxy Advisory Firm resulting from
concerns regarding board independence or inclusion of non-independent directors on the audit committee.
The
Funds shall vote FOR such proposals if the only reason for a negative Proxy Advisory Firm recommendation is to express disapproval
of broader issuer or board practices.
Other
Business
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST proposals for Other Business.
Adjournment
The
Funds shall vote FOR when presented with a primary proposal such as a merger or corporate restructuring that is also supported.
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST when not presented with a primary proposal, such as a merger, and a proposal on the ballot is opposed.
The
Funds shall consider other circumstances on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Changing
Corporate Name
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals requesting a corporate name change.
Multiple
Proposals
The
Funds may vote FOR multiple proposals of a similar nature presented as options to the issuer management’s favored course
of action, provided that:
● | Support
for a single proposal is not operationally required; |
● | No
single proposal is deemed superior in the interest of the Fund(s); and |
● | Each
proposal would otherwise be supported under these Guidelines. |
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST any proposals that would otherwise be opposed under these Guidelines.
Bundled
Proposals
The
Funds shall vote FOR such proposals if all of the bundled items are supported under these Guidelines.
The
Funds shall consider such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if one or more items are not supported under these Guidelines and/or
the Proxy Advisory Firm deems the negative impact, on balance, to outweigh any positive impact.
Moot
Proposals
This
instruction pertains to items for which support has become moot (e.g., a director for whom support has become moot since the time
the individual was nominated (e.g., due to death, disqualification, or determination not to accept appointment)); the Funds shall
WITHHOLD support if the Proxy Advisory Firm recommends that course of action.
Approving
New Classes or Series of Shares
The
Funds shall vote FOR the establishment of new classes or series of shares.
Hiring
and Terminating Sub-advisers
The
Funds shall vote FOR management proposals that authorize the board to hire and terminate sub-advisers.
Master-Feeder
Structure
The
Funds shall vote FOR the establishment of a master-feeder structure.
Establishing
Director Ownership Requirement
The
Funds shall vote AGAINST shareholder proposals for the establishment of a director ownership requirement. All other matters should
be examined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management
Investment Companies.
(a)(1) Portfolio Management. The
following individuals share responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:
Vincent Costa
is chief investment officer, equities at Voya Investment Management and also serves as a portfolio
manager for the active quantitative and fundamental large cap value strategies. Previously at Voya, he was head of portfolio management
for quantitative equity. Prior to joining Voya, he managed quantitative equity investments at both Merrill Lynch Investment Management
and Bankers Trust Company. Vinnie earned an MBA in finance from New York University's Stern School of Business, a BS in quantitative business
analysis from Pennsylvania State University and is a CFA® Charterholder.
Steven Wetter
is a portfolio manager on the quantitative equity team at Voya Investment Management responsible
for the index, research enhanced index and smart beta strategies. Prior to joining Voya, Steve was co-head of international indexing at
BNY Mellon responsible for managing ETFs, index funds and quantitative portfolios. Prior to that, he held similar positions at Northern
Trust and Bankers Trust. Steve earned an MBA in finance from New York University's Stern School of Business and a BA from the University
of California at Berkeley.
Susanna
Jacob is head of strategy research for Multi-Asset Strategies and Solutions (MASS) at Voya Investment Management, responsible for
research and design for multi-asset and systematic strategies. Previously at Voya, she was a quantitative strategist for MASS. Prior to
joining Voya, Susanna was part of the startup investment team at Quadratic Capital, founded as a multi-asset absolute return global macro
strategy, responsible for bottom-up quantitative modelling and investment insights. Prior to that, Susanna was a director at BlackRock,
where her responsibilities included systematic trading processes, leveraging high frequency insights and contributing to innovative quantitative
research for the scientific active equity and global macro portfolios. Previously, she worked at Citadel, developing and enhancing research
and implementation of derivatives trading strategies, and at Goldman Sachs, where she helped transform the quantitative efforts in algorithmic
trading for institutional investors. Susanna earned an MBA in finance from New York University's Stern School of Business and a BE in
instrumentation technology with honors from University of Mysore (India).
Justin
Montminy is a portfolio manager for the closed end equity funds and a quantitative analyst on the quantitative equity team at Voya
Investment Management. Prior to joining Voya, he was a treasury associate with Citadel LLC, focusing on repo financing and cash management.
Justin earned an MBA in finance from New York University Stern School of Business and a BS in finance from the University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign. He is a CFA® Charterholder.
(a)(2V-iii) Other Accounts Managed
The following table shows the number of accounts
and total assets in the accounts managed by the portfolio managers of the Sub-Adviser as of February 29, 2024, unless otherwise noted:
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (IDE)
| |
Mutual Funds Registered Investment Companies | | |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | | |
Other Accounts | |
Portfolio Managers | |
Number of Accounts | | |
Total Assets | | |
Number of Accounts | | |
Total Assets | | |
Number of Accounts | | |
Total Assets | |
Steven Wetter | |
| 35 | | |
$ | 26,932,428,773 | | |
| 9 | | |
$ | 101,612,803 | | |
| 3 | | |
$ | 469,974,042 | |
Vincent Costa | |
| 22 | | |
$ | 9,918,708,973 | | |
| 32 | | |
$ | 562,185,437 | | |
| 18 | | |
$ | 894,992,999 | |
Susanna Jacob | |
| 5 | | |
| 981,994,134 | | |
| 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
$ | 0 | |
Justin Montminy | |
| 5 | | |
| 981,994,134 | | |
| 0 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
$ | 0 | |
(a)(2)(iv) Conflicts of Interest
A portfolio manager may be subject
to potential conflicts of interest because the portfolio manager is responsible for other accounts in addition to a Fund. These other
accounts may include, among others, other mutual funds, separately managed advisory accounts, commingled trust accounts, insurance separate
accounts, wrap fee programs and hedge funds. Potential conflicts may arise out of the implementation of differing investment strategies
for the portfolio manager’s various accounts, the allocation of investment opportunities among those accounts or differences in
the advisory fees paid by the portfolio manager’s accounts.
A potential conflict of interest
may arise as a result of the portfolio manager’s responsibility for multiple accounts with similar investment guidelines. Under
these circumstances, a potential investment may be suitable for more that one of the portfolio manager’s accounts, but the quantity
of the investment available for purchase is less than the aggregate amount the accounts would ideally devote to the opportunity. Similar
conflicts may arise with multiple accounts seek to dispose of the same investment.
A portfolio manager may also manage
accounts whose objectives and policies differ from that of the Fund. These differences may be such that under certain circumstances, trading
activity appropriate for one account managed by the portfolio manager may not be appropriate for the Fund. For example, if an account
were to sell a significant position in a security, which could cause the market price of that security to decrease, while the Fund maintained
its position in that security.
A potential conflict may arise
when a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts that have different advisory fees – the difference in the fees may create an
incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another, for example, in terms of access to particularly appealing investment
opportunities. This conflict may be heightened where an account is subject to a performance-based fee.
As part of its compliance program,
Voya IM has adopted policies and procedures reasonable designed to address the potential conflicts of interest described above.
Finally, a potential conflict
of interest may arise because the investment mandates for certain other accounts, such as hedge funds, may allow extensive use of short
sales, which, in theory, could allow them to enter into short positions in securities where other accounts hold long positions. Voya IM
has policies and procedures in reasonable designed to limit and monitor short sales by the other accounts to avoid harm to the Fund.
(a)(3) Compensation
Compensation consists of (a) a
fixed base salary; (b) a bonus which is based on Voya IM performance, one-, three-, and five-year pre-tax performance of the accounts
the portfolio managers are primarily and jointly responsible for relative to account benchmarks, peer universe performance, and revenue
growth and net cash flow growth (changes in the accounts’ net assets not attributable to changes in the value of the accounts’
investments) of the accounts they are responsible for; and, in certain instances, (iii) long-term equity awards tied to the performance
of the parent company, Voya Financial, Inc. and/or a notional investment in a pre-defined set of Voya IM sub-advised funds.
Portfolio managers are also eligible to receive
an annual cash incentive award delivered in some combination of cash and a deferred award in the form of Voya stock. The overall design
of the annual incentive plan was developed to tie pay to both performance and cash flows, structured in such a way as to drive performance
and promote retention of top talent. As with base salary compensation, individual target awards are determined and set based on external
market data and internal comparators. Investment performance is measured on both relative and absolute performance in all areas.
The measures for each team are outlined on a “scorecard”
that is reviewed on an annual basis. These scorecards measure investment performance versus benchmark and peer groups over one-, three-,
and five-year periods; and year-to-date net cash flow (changes in the accounts' net assets not attributable to changes in the value of
the accounts' investments) for all accounts managed by each team. The results for overall Voya IM scorecards are typically calculated
on an asset weighted performance basis of the Investment professionals' performance measures for bonus determinations are weighted by
25% being attributable to the overall Voya IM performance and 75% attributable to their specific team results (65% investment performance,
5% net cash flow, and 5% revenue growth).
Voya IM's long-term incentive plan is designed
to provide ownership-like incentives to reward continued employment and to link long-term compensation to the financial performance of
the business. Based on job function, internal comparators and external market data, employees may be granted long-term awards. All senior
investment professionals participate in the long-term compensation plan. Participants receive annual awards determined by the management
committee based largely on investment performance and contribution to firm performance. Plan awards are based on the current year's performance
as defined by the Voya IM component of the annual incentive plan. Awards typically include a combination of performance shares, which
vest ratably over a three-year period, and Voya restricted stock and/or a notional investment in a predefined set of Voya IM sub-advised
funds, each subject to a three-year cliff-vesting schedule.
If a portfolio manager's base salary compensation
exceeds a particular threshold, he or she may participate in Voya's deferred compensation plan. The plan provides an opportunity to invest
deferred amounts of compensation in mutual funds, Voya stock or at an annual fixed interest rate. Deferral elections are done on an annual
basis and the amount of compensation deferred is irrevocable.
(a)(4) Ownership of Securities
The following table shows the dollar range of
shares of the Fund owned by each team member as of February 29, 2024, including investments by their immediate family members and amounts
invested through retirement and deferred compensation plans.
Ownership:
Portfolio Manager | |
Dollar Range of Fund Shares Owned |
Vincent Costa | |
None |
Susanna Jacob | |
None |
Justin Montminy | |
None |
Steven Wetter | |
None |
(b) None.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End
Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Period* | |
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased | | |
Average Monthly Price Paid Per Share (or Unit) | | |
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | |
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | |
Mar 1-31, 2023 | |
| 87,406 | | |
$ | 9.55 | | |
| 87,406 | | |
| 852,237 | |
April 1-30, 2023 | |
| 81,099 | | |
$ | 9.51 | | |
| 81,099 | | |
| 1,562,011 | |
May 1-31, 2023 | |
| 134,470 | | |
$ | 9.50 | | |
| 134,470 | | |
| 1,427,541 | |
June 1-30, 2023 | |
| 72,212 | | |
$ | 9.62 | | |
| 72,212 | | |
| 1,355,329 | |
July 1-31, 2023 | |
| 72,497 | | |
$ | 9.83 | | |
| 72,497 | | |
| 1,282,832 | |
Aug 1-31, 2023 | |
| 21,585 | | |
$ | 9.93 | | |
| 21,585 | | |
| 1,261,247 | |
Sept 1-30, 2023 | |
| 22,599 | | |
$ | 9.62 | | |
| 22,599 | | |
| 1,238,648 | |
Oct 1-31, 2023 | |
| 48,759 | | |
$ | 8.93 | | |
| 48,759 | | |
| 1,189,889 | |
Nov 1-30, 2023 | |
| 10,570 | | |
$ | 9.20 | | |
| 10,570 | | |
| 1,179,319 | |
Dec 1-31, 2023 | |
| 0 | | |
$ | 0.00 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 1,179,319 | |
Jan 1-31, 2024 | |
| 0 | | |
$ | 0.00 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 1,179,319 | |
Feb 1-29, 2024 | |
| 0 | | |
$ | 0.00 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 1,179,319 | |
Total | |
| 551,197 | | |
| | | |
| 551,197 | | |
| | |
*Effective
April 1, 2023, the Registrant announced the Fund could purchase up to 10% of its stock in open-market transactions through March 31, 2024.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders.
There have been no material changes to the procedures
by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, where those changes were implemented after
the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required
by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) | Based on our evaluation conducted within 90 days of the filing
date, hereof, the design and operation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material
information relating to the registrant is made known to the certifying officers by others within the appropriate entities, particularly
during the period in which Forms N-CSR are being prepared, and the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures allow timely
preparation and review of the information for the registrant’s Form N-CSR and the officer certifications of such Form N-CSR. |
(b) | There were no significant changes in the registrant’s
internal controls that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities
for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the securities lending agent.
As the securities lending agent, The Bank of New York Mellon administers the securities lending program.
The following table provides the dollar amounts of income and fees/compensation
related to the securities lending activities of the Fund for its most recent fiscal year. There are no fees paid to the securities lending
agent for cash collateral management services, administrative fees, indemnification fees, or other fees.
Fund | |
Gross securities lending income | |
Fees paid to securities lending agent from revenue split | |
Positive Rebate | |
Negative Rebate | |
Net Rebate | |
Total Aggregate fees/compensation paid to securities lending agent or broker | |
Net Securities Income |
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund | |
None | |
None | |
None | |
None | |
None | |
None | |
None |
Item 13. Exhibits.
(c) Notices to the registrant's common shareholders in accordance with
the order under Section 6(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) granting an exemption from Section 19(b)
of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 under the 1940 Act, dated August 16, 2011.1
(c)(1) 2nd Qtr 2023
(c)(2) 3rd Qtr 2023
(c)(3) 4th Qtr 2023
(c)(4) 1st Qtr 2024
| 1 | The Fund has received exemptive relief from the Securities
and Exchange Commission permitting it to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains with respect to its outstanding common
stock as frequently as twelve times each year, and as frequently as distributions are specified by or in accordance with the terms of
its outstanding preferred stock. This relief is conditioned, in part, on an undertaking by the Fund to make the disclosures to the holders
of the Fund's common shares, in addition to the information required by Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19a-1 thereunder. The
Fund is likewise obligated to file with the SEC the information contained in any such notice to shareholders and, in that regard, has
attached hereto copies of each such notice made during the period. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant): Voya Infrastructure, Industrials
and Materials Fund
By |
/s/ Andy Simonoff |
|
|
Andy Simonoff |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
Date: May 9, 2024
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant
and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By |
/s/ Andy Simonoff |
|
|
Andy Simonoff |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
Date: May 9, 2024
By |
/s/ Todd Modic |
|
|
Todd Modic |
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
Date: May 9, 2024
EX-99.CODE ETH
VOYA MUTUAL FUNDS
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT
CODE OF ETHICS
The Boards of Directors/Trustees (collectively,
the “Board”) of the Voya mutual funds (each a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”) set forth on
Exhibit A hereto, as such exhibit may be amended from time to time, have adopted this code of ethics (the “Code”) in
connection with the requirements of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act) concerning disclosure of a code of
ethics for the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the principal accounting officer or controller, and persons
performing similar functions (regardless of whether they are employed by a Fund or a third party) of the Funds (the “Covered Officers”).
For the purposes of this Code, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Funds are the Covered Officers for the
Funds.
| B. | Policy and Purpose; Conflicts with Law and Policy |
1. Policy and Purpose
It is the policy of the Funds to conduct their
affairs in an honest and ethical manner, and to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The purpose of this Code is to
assist in the accomplishment of the foregoing policy, to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
| a. | Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional
relationships. |
| b. | Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a Fund files with, or submits to, the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in other public communications made by a Fund. |
| c. | Compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations. |
| d. | The prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in this Code. |
| e. | Accountability for adherence to this Code. |
2. Conflicts with Law and Policy
If any part of this Code, or if
compliance with any part of this Code, violates or is in conflict with any applicable law, the provisions of such applicable law shall
control. If any part of this Code, or if compliance with any part of this Code, violates or is in conflict with any policy or practice
of the Funds or of any service provider to the Funds, the provisions of this Code shall control.
Each Covered Officer shall adhere to a high standard of business
ethics in his or her dealings with and on behalf of a Fund. Specifically, each Covered Officer shall:
| 1. | Conduct himself or herself in an honest and ethical manner when dealing with or on behalf of a Fund. |
| 2. | Refrain from engaging in any activity that would compromise his or her professional ethics or otherwise prejudice his or her ability
faithfully to carry out his or her duties to the Funds. |
| 3. | Refrain from using or appearing to use material non-public information acquired in the course of his or her work for the Funds for
unethical or illegal advantage, either directly or indirectly through others. |
| 4. | Place the interests of the Funds and their shareholders before his or her personal interests, and handle actual or apparent conflicts
of interest between his or her personal interests and the interests of a Fund in an ethical manner. |
| 5. | Be familiar with the disclosure requirements generally applicable to the Funds and take all reasonable actions, consistent with his
or her position(s) with a Fund and/or a Fund’s service provider(s) to ensure full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure
in reports and documents that a Fund files with, or submits to, the SEC or other governmental authorities, and in other public communications
made by a Fund. |
| 6. | Comply with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations in his or her dealings with or on behalf of a Fund, and take all
reasonable actions, consistent with his or her position(s) with a Fund and/or a Fund’s service provider(s), to ensure compliance
by the Fund with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations. |
| 7. | Take all reasonable actions, consistent with his or her position(s) with a Fund and/or a Fund’s service provider(s), to ensure
prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in this Code. |
| 8. | Not knowingly misrepresent, or knowingly cause or permit others to misrepresent, facts about a Fund to a Fund’s shareholders,
directors, counsel or auditors, to governmental regulators or self-regulatory organizations, or to the public. |
| 9. | Consult with other officers and employees of a Fund, and its adviser(s), administrator and principal underwriter, with the goal of
promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Fund files with, or submits to,
the SEC and in other public communications made by the Funds. |
| 10. | Promote compliance by the Funds with the standards and restrictions imposed by applicable laws, rules and regulations. |
| 11. | Not influence investment decisions or financial or other reporting by the Fund whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally. |
| 12. | Not cause a Fund to take an action, or fail to take an action, whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally. |
| 13. | Not retaliate or take any adverse action against, or cause or permit any retaliation or adverse action to be taken against, any other
Covered Officer or any employee of the Funds or their affiliated persons for reports of potential violations of this Code or of applicable
laws and governmental rules and regulations that are made in good faith. |
1. Conflicts
of Interest
For the purposes of this Code (i) an “actual
conflict of interest” is a situation in which a Covered Officer, a member of a Covered Officer’s immediate family, or an entity
other than a Fund on whose behalf a Covered Officer is acting or from which a Covered Officer may receive compensation or other personal
benefit, has an interest in a transaction or the results of a transaction in which a Fund is involved that is different from the interests
of the Fund with regard to that same transaction, and (ii) an “apparent conflict of interest” is a situation in which a Covered
Officer, a member of a Covered Officer’s immediate family, or an entity other than a Fund on whose behalf a Covered Officer is acting
or from which a Covered Officer may receive compensation or other personal benefit, appears to have an actual conflict of interest, without
regard to whether an actual conflict of interest in fact exists. (1)
These inherent conflicts of interest are known
to and understood by the Funds and the Board, and the Board has determined that the existence of these conflicts of interest is consistent
with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Fund. Therefore, the fact that a Covered Officer acts
primarily or exclusively on behalf of a party other than a Fund with regard to a transaction that is covered by such inherent conflicts
of interest shall not ipso facto cause such conduct to be in violation of the requirements of this Code. Absent specific dishonest
or unethical conduct in such a transition, the actions by a Covered Officer in such regard shall be deemed to be honest and ethical conduct,
including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an actual conflict
of interest shall not include situations that are covered by law or by the Funds’ and an investment adviser’s code of ethics
required under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.(2)
(1) Certain actual conflicts of interest are inherent in
the relationship between a Fund and a Covered Officer who is employed by the Fund’s investment adviser, administrator or principal
underwriter. As a result, this Code recognizes that Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether acting on behalf
of a Fund or on behalf of the adviser, administrator or principal underwriter, or for a combination thereof), be involved in recommending
actions that may have different effects on the respective parties or may redound to the benefit of the adviser, the administrator or the
principal underwriter at the expense of the Fund. For example, the negotiation of the underlying advisory, administrative and underwriting
agreements necessarily places such Covered Officers in an actual conflict of interest position as to a Fund.
(2) These inherent conflicts of interest are already subject
to prohibitions in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940
(the “Investment Advisers Act”). For example, a Covered Officer may not individually engage in certain transactions (such
as the purchase of sale or securities or other property) with a Fund because of his or her status as an “affiliated person”
of the Fund. The Funds’ and the investment adviser’s compliance programs and procedures are designed to prevent, or identify
and correct, violations of these provisions. This Code does not, and is not intended to, repeat and replace those programs and procedures,
and such actual and apparent conflicts of interest fall outside of the coverage of this Code. All other actual and apparent conflicts
of interest, even if such actual and apparent conflicts of interest are not subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act or the
Investment Advisers Act, are covered by this Code.
2. Waiver and Implicit Waiver
The term “waiver” means the approval
by a Fund of a material departure from a provision of this Code. The term “implicit waiver” means a failure by a Fund to take
action within a reasonable period of time regarding a material departure from a provision of this Code that has been made known to an
executive officer (3) of the Fund.
(3) The term “executive officer” when used with
reference to a registrant, means its president, any vice president of the registrant in charge of a principal business unit, division
or function (such as sales, administration or finance), any other officer who performs a policy making function or any other person who
performs similar policy making functions for the registrant.
3. Benefit Personally; Immediate Family
With regard to a Covered Officer, the term “benefit
personally” means the direct or indirect receipt by the Covered Officer, by a member of the Covered Officer’s immediate family,
or by any entity (other than a Fund’s investment adviser or any affiliate thereof) of which the Covered Officer or any member of
the Covered Officer’s immediate family owns 5% or more of the beneficial ownership interest or by which the Covered Officer or any
member of the Covered Officer’s immediate family is employed, or from which the Covered Officer or any member of the Covered Officer’s
immediate family receives any compensation or other benefit, of any compensation or other personal benefit. For the purposes of this Code,
the term “member of the immediate family” means a Covered Officer’s parent, spouse of a parent, child, spouse of a child,
spouse, brother, or sister, and includes any step and adoptive relationships.
| E. | Activities Requiring Prior Approval |
A Covered Officer and his or her immediate family
shall not engage in any of the following activities without the prior written approval of the Funds’ Chief Legal Officer (the “Chief
Legal Officer”) and the Funds’ Chief Executive Officer, except that in the case of the Chief Executive Officer or a member
of the Chief Executive Officer’s immediate family, such approval shall be from the Chief Legal Officer and the Qualified Legal Compliance
Committee of the Board (the “QLCC”). The obtain such approval, the Covered Officer shall submit a written statement to the
Chief Legal Officer describing in detail the proposed activity and the reasons for it.
| 1. | Service as a direct, partner, officer, manager, or managing member on the board of any public or private company (4) other
than a Fund’s investment adviser, administrator, principal underwriter, or an affiliate of any of the foregoing, if such company
has current or prospective business dealings with a Fund or if any Fund may invest in securities issued by such company. |
| 2. | Receipt of any entertainment (5) or meals from any company with which the Fund has current or prospective business dealings
unless such entertainment or meals are business-related, reasonable in cost, appropriate as to time and place, and not so frequent as
to raise any question of impropriety. For the purposes of this Code, entertainment and meals that are incidental to a business conference,
seminar or meeting shall be deemed business-related, reasonable in cost, and appropriate as to time and place. |
| 3. | Having any ownership interest in, or any consulting, employment or compensation relationship with, any of a Fund’s service providers,
other than its investment adviser(s), administrator, principal underwriter, or any affiliated person thereof. |
| 4. | Exploit for his or her own personal gain any opportunity which a Fund may exploit. This prohibition shall not apply to securities
trading undertaken in conformance with the Funds’ and an investment adviser’s code of ethics adopted pursuant to Rule 17j-1
of the Investment Company Act. |
(4) For the purposes of this Code, “company”
includes any legal or business entity such as a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, trust, association,
sole proprietorship, etc.
(5) For the purposes of this Code, “entertainment”
means activities or events, such as golfing, theater, sporting events, etc., at which a representative of the entertaining company
is present along with the Covered Officer or his or her immediate family member. If a representative of the entertaining company is not
present, such activities or events shall be treated as gifts hereunder.
A Covered Officer and his or her immediate family
shall not engage in any of the following activities:
| 1. | Have direct or indirect financial interest, such as compensation or equity ownership, in commissions, transaction charges or spreads
paid by the Fund for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest arising from the Covered
Officer’s employment with the Fund’s investment adviser, administrator, principal underwriter, or any affiliated person thereof. |
| 2. | Receive any gifts in excess of $500 in any calendar year from any entity or person that directly or indirectly currently or prospectively
does or will do business with or receives compensation or other benefits from a Fund. For the purposes of this restriction, gifts from
different persons employed by the same entity shall be aggregated, along with any gifts from the entity itself, in order to determine
whether the $500 limit has been exceeded. |
| 3. | Accept employment from any company, other than a Fund’s investment adviser(s), administrator or principal underwriter (or any
affiliate thereof), with which the Fund has current or prospective business dealings within one year after the latest to occur of such
Covered Officer’s termination of employment at the Fund or at the Fund’s investment adviser(s), administrator or principal
underwriter (or any affiliate thereof). |
| 4. | Borrow money from any Fund, or borrow money from or have any other financial transactions with any company, other than a Fund’s
investment adviser(s), administrator or principal underwriter (or any affiliate thereof), with which the Fund has current or prospective
business dealings, other than routine retail transactions that are effected on the same terms and conditions as are available to the general
public. |
| 5. | Engage in a transaction directly as a principal with a Fund, except that this prohibition shall not apply to the purchase or redemption
of the shares of any Fund on the same terms and conditions as all other shareholders. |
| 6. | Any other activity that would cause them to benefit personally at the expense of a Fund. |
| G. | Reporting and Accountability |
1. Reporting
Each Covered Officer must:
| a. | Upon adoption of this Code (or thereafter, as applicable, upon becoming a Covered Officer), affirm in writing to the Chief Legal Officer
and the Board that he or she has received, read and understands this Code. Such affirmation shall be substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit B. |
| b. | Annually thereafter affirm to the Chief Legal Officer and the Board that he or she has complied with the requirements of this Code.
Such affirmation shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C. |
| c. | Report at least annually all employment, ownership, affiliations or other relationships related to conflicts of interest that the
Fund’s Directors and Officers Questionnaire covers. |
| d. | Notify the Chief Legal Officer promptly if he or she knows of any violation of this Code or of any applicable laws and governmental
rules and regulations. Failure to do so is itself violation of this Code. |
2. Interpretations
The Chief Legal Officer has the authority and shall
be responsible for applying this Code to specific situations and for making interpretations of this Code in any particular situation.
In making interpretations of this Code, the Chief Legal Officer may consult with the Funds’ outside counsel.
3. Investigations
The Funds will follow these procedures in investigating and
enforcing this Code:
| a. | The Chief Legal Officer will take all appropriate action to investigate any potential violations reported to him or her. |
| b. | If, after such investigation, the Chief Legal Officer believes that no violation has occurred, the Chief Legal Officer is not required
to take any further action. |
| c. | If, after such investigation, the Chief Legal Officer believes a violation has occurred, the Chief Legal Officer shall report such
potential violation to the QLCC. |
| d. | If the QLCC concurs that a violation has occurred, it will inform and make a recommendation to the Board, which will consider appropriate
action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable policies and procedures; notification to appropriate
personnel of the investment adviser or its board; and a recommendation to discipline or dismiss the Covered Officer or to require reimbursement
or disgorgement by the Covered Officer of any personal benefits received. |
4. Waivers
The QLCC and the Chief Legal Officer, as applicable,
may grant a waiver to compliance with this Code by a Covered Officer or his or her immediate family if the QLCC or the Chief Legal Officer
determines that the proposed activity will not have an adverse impact on any Fund or on the ability of a Covered Officer faithfully to
perform his or her duties to the Funds. To obtain a waiver, a Covered Officer shall submit a written statement to the Chief Legal Officer
describing in detail the proposed activity, and the reasons for it, and the provision(s) of this Code as to which the waiver is requested.
Any waivers of the provisions of this Code shall be disclosed to the extent required by law and SEC rules.
| H. | Relationship to Other Policies and Procedures |
This Code shall be the sole
code of ethics adopted by the Funds for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and forms applicable to registered
investment companies thereunder. Insofar as other policies or procedures of the Funds, the Funds’ adviser(s), administrator, principal
underwriter, or other services providers govern or purport to govern the behavior or activities of the Covered Officers who are subject
to this Code, they are superseded by this Code to the extent that they overlap or conflict with the provisions of this Code. The Funds’
and their investment advisers’ and principal underwriter’s codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act
are separate requirements applying to the Covered Officers and others, and are not part of this Code.
All reports and records prepared
or maintained pursuant to this Code will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise
required by law or this Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the appropriate Board or committee thereof or the
Funds’ outside counsel.
The Code is intended solely
for the internal use by the Funds and does not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of any Fund or any Covered Officer or his or her
immediate family, as to any fact, circumstance, or legal conclusion.
Any amendments to this Code must be approved or
ratified by a majority vote of the Board, including a majority of the independent directors. Any amendments to this Code shall be disclosed
to the extent required by law and SEC rules.
Date: _________________________
Exhibit A
VOYA ASIA PACIFIC HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND
VOYA BALANCED PORTFOLIO, INC.
VOYA CREDIT INCOME FUND
VOYA EMERGING MARKETS HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY FUND
VOYA EQUITY TRUST
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
VOYA GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND
VOYA GLOBAL EQUITY DIVIDEND AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY
FUND
VOYA GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
VOYA INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRIALS AND MATERIALS
FUND
VOYA INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO
VOYA INVESTORS TRUST
VOYA MUTUAL FUNDS
VOYA PARTNERS, INC.
VOYA SEPARATE PORTFOLIOS TRUST
VOYA STRATEGIC ALLOCATION PORTFOLIOS, INC.
VOYA VARIABLE FUNDS
VOYA VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
VOYA VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.
VOYA VARIABLE PRODUCTS TRUST
Exhibit B
INITIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Covered Officer Name and Title: __________________________________________________
(please print)
I acknowledge that I have received and read a copy
of the Voya mutual funds Sarbanes-Oxley Act Code of Ethics (the “Code”) and that I understand it. I further acknowledge that
I am responsible for understanding and complying with the policies set forth in the Code during my tenure as a Covered Officer, as defined
in the Code.
I also acknowledge my responsibility to report
any violation of the Code to the Chief Legal Officer of the Funds.
I further acknowledge that the policies contained
in the Code are not intended to create any contractual rights or obligations, express or implied. I also understand that, consistent with
applicable law, the Funds have the right to amend, interpret, modify or withdraw any of the provisions of the Code at any time in their
sole discretion, with or without notice.
Exhibit C
ANNUAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Covered Office Name and Title: Andy Simonoff, Chief Executive Officer
(please print)
I acknowledge that I have received and read a copy
of the Voya mutual funds Sarbanes-Oxley Act Code of Ethics (the “Code”) and that I understand it. I further acknowledge that
I am responsible for understanding and complying with the policies set forth in the Code during my tenure as a Covered Officer, as defined
in the Code.
I also acknowledge that I have fully complied with
the terms and provisions of the Code during the period of time since the most recent Initial or Annual Acknowledgement provided by me.
I further acknowledge that the policies contained
in the Code are not intended to create any contractual rights or obligations, express or implied. I also understand that, consistent with
applicable law, the Funds have the right to amend, interpret, modify or withdraw any of the provisions of the Code at any time in their
sole discretion, with or without notice.
Exhibit C
ANNUAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Covered Office Name and Title: Todd Modic, Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
(please print)
I acknowledge that I have received and read a copy
of the Voya mutual funds Sarbanes-Oxley Act Code of Ethics (the “Code”) and that I understand it. I further acknowledge that
I am responsible for understanding and complying with the policies set forth in the Code during my tenure as a Covered Officer, as defined
in the Code.
I also acknowledge that I have fully complied with
the terms and provisions of the Code during the period of time since the most recent Initial or Annual Acknowledgement provided by me.
I further acknowledge that the policies contained
in the Code are not intended to create any contractual rights or obligations, express or implied. I also understand that, consistent with
applicable law, the Funds have the right to amend, interpret, modify or withdraw any of the provisions of the Code at any time in their
sole discretion, with or without notice.
EX-99.CERT
CERTIFICATION
I, Andy Simonoff, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund; |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required
to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined
in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: |
| a. | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,
to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others
within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| b. | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements
for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
| c. | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions
about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report
based on such evaluation; and |
| d. | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period
covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control
over financial reporting; and |
| 5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee
of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a. | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which
are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information;
and |
| b. | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: May 9, 2024 |
|
/s/ Andy Simonoff |
|
|
Andy Simonoff |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
CERTIFICATION
I, Todd Modic, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund; |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required
to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined
in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: |
| a. | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,
to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others
within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| b. | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements
for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
| c. | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions
about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report
based on such evaluation; and |
| d. | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period
covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control
over financial reporting; and |
| 5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee
of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a. | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which
are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information;
and |
| b. | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: May 9, 2024 |
|
/s/ Todd Modic |
|
|
Todd Modic |
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer |
EX-99.906CERT
Certification
Pursuant to Section 906
of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Name of Registrant: | |
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund |
| |
|
Date of Form N-CSR: | |
February 29, 2024 |
The undersigned, the principle executive officer of the above named
registrant (the “Fund”), hereby certifies that, with respect to the Form N-CSR referred to above, to the best of his knowledge
and belief, after reasonable inquiry:
| 1. | such Form N-CSR fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
| 2. | the information contained in such Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
of the Fund. |
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906
has been provided to Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund and will be retained by Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certification
below, as of this 9th day of May, 2024.
|
|
/s/ Andy Simonoff |
|
|
Andy Simonoff |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
Certification
Pursuant to Section 906
of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Name of Registrant: | |
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund |
| |
|
Date of Form N-CSR: | |
February 29, 2024 |
The undersigned, the principle financial officer of the above named
registrant (the “Fund”), hereby certifies that, with respect to the Form N-CSR referred to above, to the best of his knowledge
and belief, after reasonable inquiry:
| 1. | such Form N-CSR fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
| 2. | the information contained in such Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
of the Fund. |
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906
has been provided to Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund and will be retained by Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certification
below, as of this 9th day of May, 2024.
|
|
/s/ Todd Modic |
|
|
Todd Modic |
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer |
Exhibit 13(c)(1)
VOYA INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRIALS AND MATERIALS
FUND
Dear Shareholders,
This Section 19(a)
Notice provides shareholders of Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (NYSE: IDE) with important information
concerning its distribution declared in March 2023. This Section 19(a) Notice is issued as required by the Fund’s Managed
Distribution Plan (the “Plan") and an exemptive order received from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Board of Trustees has approved the implementation of the Plan to make quarterly cash distributions to common shareholders, stated in
terms of a fixed amount per common share. This information is sent to you for informational purposes only and is an estimate of the
sources of the April distribution. It is not determinative of the tax character of the Fund’s distributions for the 2023
calendar year. Shareholders should note that the Fund’s total regular distribution amount is subject to change as a result of
market conditions or other factors.
The amounts and sources of distributions
reported in this notice are estimates, are not being provided for tax reporting purposes and the distribution may later be determined
to be from other sources including realized short-term gains, long-term gains, to the extent permitted by law, and return of capital.
The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder
of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year
that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Distribution Period: First
Quarter 2023, Payable April 17, 2023
Distribution Amount per Common Share: $0.229
The following table
sets forth an estimate of the sources of the Fund’s April distribution and its cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year
to date. Amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund
Source |
|
Current
Distribution |
|
|
%
of Current Distribution |
|
|
Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date |
|
|
%
of the Cumulative
Distributions for the
Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
|
Net Investment Income |
|
$ |
0.066 |
|
|
|
28.95 |
% |
|
$ |
0.066 |
|
|
|
28.95 |
% |
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains |
|
$ |
0.013 |
|
|
|
5.57 |
% |
|
$ |
0.013 |
|
|
|
5.57 |
% |
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains |
|
$ |
0.000 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
% |
|
$ |
0.000 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
% |
Return of Capital or Other Capital Source(s) |
|
$ |
0.150 |
|
|
|
65.49 |
% |
|
$ |
0.150 |
|
|
|
65.49 |
% |
Total per common share |
|
$ |
0.229 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
% |
|
$ |
0.229 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
% |
1 The Fund’s fiscal year is March 1, 2023 to February 28, 2024.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: You should
not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s
Plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized 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 of the money that you invested in the 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 Section 19(a)
Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax
reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject
to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these
distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Set forth in the table below is information relating to the Fund’s
performance based on its net asset value (NAV) for certain periods.
Average annual total return at NAV for the five year period ended on March 31, 20231 | |
| 2.84 | % |
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of March 31, 20232 | |
| 7.94 | % |
Cumulative total return at NAV for the fiscal year through March 31, 20233 | |
| 2.49 | % |
Cumulative fiscal year to date distribution rate as a percentage of NAV as of March 31, 20234 | |
| 1.98 | % |
1 | Average annual total return at NAV represents the compound average
of the annual NAV total returns of the Fund for the five year period ended on March 31, 2023. |
2 | The annualized current distribution rate is the cumulative distribution
rate annualized as a percentage of the Fund’s NAV as of March 31, 2023. |
3 | Cumulative total return at NAV is the percentage change in the
Fund’s NAV for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to March 31, 2023 including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment
of those distributions. |
4 | Cumulative fiscal year distribution rate for the period from
the year-to-date period as a percentage of the Fund’s NAV as of March 31, 2023. |
Exhibit 13(c)(2)
VOYA INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRIALS AND MATERIALS
FUND
Dear Shareholders,
This Section 19(a) Notice provides shareholders
of Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (NYSE: IDE) with important information concerning its distribution declared in
June 2023. This Section 19(a) Notice is issued as required by the Fund’s Managed Distribution Plan (the “Plan") and an
exemptive order received from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Trustees has approved the implementation of the
Plan to make quarterly cash distributions to common shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share. This information
is sent to you for informational purposes only and is an estimate of the sources of the July distribution. It is not determinative of
the tax character of the Fund’s distributions for the 2023 calendar year. Shareholders should note that the Fund’s total regular
distribution amount is subject to change as a result of market conditions or other factors.
The amounts and sources of distributions
reported in this notice are estimates, are not being provided for tax reporting purposes and the distribution may later be determined
to be from other sources including realized short-term gains, long-term gains, to the extent permitted by law, and return of capital.
The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder
of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year
that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Distribution Period: Second Quarter
2023, Payable July 17, 2023
Distribution Amount per Common Share:
$0.229
The following table sets forth an estimate of the sources of the Fund’s
July distribution and its cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date. Amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and
as a percentage of the distribution amount.
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund
Source | |
Current Distribution | | |
% of Current Distribution | | |
Cumulative Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date | | |
% of the Cumulative Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date1 | |
Net Investment Income | |
$ | 0.082 | | |
| 36.01 | % | |
$ | 0.148 | | |
| 32.48 | % |
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains | |
$ | 0.095 | | |
| 41.36 | % | |
$ | 0.108 | | |
| 23.46 | % |
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains | |
$ | 0.052 | | |
| 22.63 | % | |
$ | 0.052 | | |
| 11.32 | % |
Return of Capital or Other Capital Source(s) | |
$ | 0.000 | | |
| 0.00 | % | |
$ | 0.150 | | |
| 32.74 | % |
Total per common share | |
$ | 0.229 | | |
| 100.00 | % | |
$ | 0.458 | | |
| 100.00 | % |
1 The Fund’s fiscal year is March 1, 2023 to February 28, 2024.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE:
You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms
of the Fund’s Plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized 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 of the money
that you invested in the 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 Section 19(a) Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources
of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal
year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell
you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
SEC-19-IDE-07172023
Set forth in the table below is information
relating to the Fund’s performance based on its net asset value (NAV) for certain periods.
Average annual total return at NAV for the five year period ended on June 30, 20231 | |
| 4.40 | % |
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of June 30, 20232 | |
| 7.82 | % |
Cumulative total return at NAV for the fiscal year through June 30, 20233 | |
| 6.52 | % |
Cumulative fiscal year to date distribution rate as a percentage of NAV as of June 30, 20234 | |
| 3.91 | % |
1 | Average annual total return at NAV represents the compound average of the annual NAV total returns of
the Fund for the five year period ended on June 30, 2023. |
2 | The annualized current distribution rate is the cumulative distribution rate annualized as a percentage
of the Fund’s NAV as of June 30, 2023. |
3 | Cumulative total return at NAV is the percentage change in the Fund’s NAV for the period from the
beginning of its fiscal year to June 30, 2023 including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of those distributions. |
4 | Cumulative fiscal year distribution rate for the period from the year-to-date period as a percentage of
the Fund’s NAV as of June 30, 2023. |
SEC-19-IDE-07172023
Exhibit 13(c)(3)
VOYA INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRIALS AND MATERIALS
FUND
Dear Shareholders,
This Section 19(a) Notice provides shareholders
of Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (NYSE: IDE) with important information concerning its distribution declared in
September 2023. This Section 19(a) Notice is issued as required by the Fund’s Managed Distribution Plan (the “Plan")
and an exemptive order received from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Trustees has approved the implementation
of the Plan to make quarterly cash distributions to common shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share. This information
is sent to you for informational purposes only and is an estimate of the sources of the October distribution. It is not determinative
of the tax character of the Fund’s distributions for the 2023 calendar year. Shareholders should note that the Fund’s total
regular distribution amount is subject to change as a result of market conditions or other factors.
The amounts and sources of distributions
reported in this notice are estimates, are not being provided for tax reporting purposes and the distribution may later be determined
to be from other sources including realized short-term gains, long-term gains, to the extent permitted by law, and return of capital.
The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder
of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year
that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Distribution Period: Third Quarter 2023, Payable
October 16, 2023
Distribution Amount per Common Share: $0.229
The following table sets forth an estimate
of the sources of the Fund’s October distribution and its cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date. Amounts are expressed
on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund
Source |
|
Current
Distribution |
|
|
%
of Current Distribution |
|
|
Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date |
|
|
%
of the Cumulative
Distributions for the
Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
|
Net Investment Income | |
$ | 0.022 | | |
| 9.77 | % | |
$ | 0.172 | | |
| 24.97 | % |
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains | |
$ | 0.125 | | |
| 54.39 | % | |
$ | 0.230 | | |
| 33.54 | % |
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains | |
$ | 0.082 | | |
| 35.84 | % | |
$ | 0.194 | | |
| 28.30 | % |
Return of Capital or Other Capital Source(s) | |
$ | 0.000 | | |
| 0.00 | % | |
$ | 0.091 | | |
| 13.19 | % |
Total per common share | |
$ | 0.229 | | |
| 100.00 | % | |
$ | 0.687 | | |
| 100.00 | % |
1 The Fund’s fiscal year is March 1, 2023 to February 28, 2024.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: You should
not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s
Plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized 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 of the money that you invested in the 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 Section 19(a)
Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax
reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject
to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these
distributions for federal income tax purposes.
SEC-19-IDE-10162023
Set forth in the table below is information
relating to the Fund’s performance based on its net asset value (NAV) for certain periods.
Average annual total return at NAV for the five year period ended on September 30, 20231 | |
| 3.07 | % |
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of September 30, 20232 | |
| 8.26 | % |
Cumulative total return at NAV for the fiscal year through September 30, 20233 | |
| 3.14 | % |
Cumulative fiscal year to date distribution rate as a percentage of NAV as of September 30, 20234 | |
| 6.19 | % |
1 | Average annual total return at NAV represents the compound average
of the annual NAV total returns of the Fund for the five year period ended on September 30, 2023. |
2 | The annualized current distribution rate is the cumulative distribution
rate annualized as a percentage of the Fund’s NAV as of September 30, 2023. |
3 | Cumulative total return at NAV is the percentage change in the
Fund’s NAV for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to September 30, 2023 including distributions paid and assuming
reinvestment of those distributions. |
4 | Cumulative fiscal year distribution rate for the period from
the year-to-date period as a percentage of the Fund’s NAV as of September 30, 2023. |
SEC-19-IDE-10162023
Exhibit 13(c)(4)
VOYA INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRIALS AND MATERIALS
FUND
Dear Shareholders,
This Section 19(a) Notice provides shareholders
of Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (NYSE: IDE) with important information concerning its distribution declared in
December 2023. This Section 19(a) Notice is issued as required by the Fund’s Managed Distribution Plan (the “Plan") and
an exemptive order received from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Trustees has approved the implementation of
the Plan to make quarterly cash distributions to common shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share. This information
is sent to you for informational purposes only and is an estimate of the sources of the January distribution. It is not determinative
of the tax character of the Fund’s distributions for the 2023 calendar year. Shareholders should note that the Fund’s total
regular distribution amount is subject to change as a result of market conditions or other factors.
The amounts and sources of distributions
reported in this notice are estimates, are not being provided for tax reporting purposes and the distribution may later be determined
to be from other sources including realized short-term gains, long-term gains, to the extent permitted by law, and return of capital.
The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder
of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year
that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Distribution Period: Fourth Quarter 2023, Payable
January 16, 2024
Distribution Amount per Common Share: $0.229
The following table sets forth an estimate
of the sources of the Fund’s January distribution and its cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date. Amounts are expressed
on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
Voya
Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund
Source |
|
Current
Distribution |
|
|
%
of Current Distribution |
|
|
Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date |
|
|
%
of the Cumulative
Distributions for the
Fiscal Year-to-Date1 |
|
Net Investment Income | |
$ | 0.026 | | |
| 11.23 | % | |
$ | 0.198 | | |
| 21.57 | % |
Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains | |
$ | 0.000 | | |
| 0.00 | % | |
$ | 0.004 | | |
| 0.43 | % |
Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains | |
$ | 0.171 | | |
| 74.73 | % | |
$ | 0.303 | | |
| 33.06 | % |
Return of Capital or Other Capital Source(s) | |
$ | 0.032 | | |
| 14.04 | % | |
$ | 0.411 | | |
| 44.94 | % |
Total per common share | |
$ | 0.229 | | |
| 100.00 | % | |
$ | 0.916 | | |
| 100.00 | % |
1 The Fund’s fiscal year is March 1, 2023 to February 28, 2024.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: You should
not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s
Plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized 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 of the money that you invested in the 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 Section 19(a)
Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax
reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject
to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these
distributions for federal income tax purposes.
SEC-19-IDE-01162024
Set forth in the table below is information
relating to the Fund’s performance based on its net asset value (NAV) for certain periods.
Average annual total return at NAV for the five year period ended on November 30, 20231 | |
| 5.18 | % |
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 20232 | |
| 8.13 | % |
Cumulative total return at NAV for the fiscal year through November 30, 20233 | |
| 7.31 | % |
Cumulative fiscal year to date distribution rate as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 20234 | |
| 8.13 | % |
1 | Average annual total return at NAV represents the compound average
of the annual NAV total returns of the Fund for the five year period ended on November 30, 2023. |
2 | The annualized current distribution rate is the cumulative distribution
rate annualized as a percentage of the Fund’s NAV as of November 30, 2023. |
3 | Cumulative total return at NAV is the percentage change in the
Fund’s NAV for the period from the beginning of its fiscal year to November 30, 2023 including distributions paid and assuming
reinvestment of those distributions. |
4 | Cumulative fiscal year distribution rate for the period from
the year-to-date period as a percentage of the Fund’s NAV as of November 30, 2023. |
SEC-19-IDE-01162024
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