Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund (NMZ)

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Boards of Trustees of Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NOM), Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NXJ), Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NQP), and Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund (NYSE: NMZ) have approved a proposal to merge the funds. The proposed mergers, if approved by shareholders, would combine NOM, NXJ, and NQP into NMZ. The mergers are intended to create a larger fund with increased.

NMZ offers high current income exempt from regular federal tax, making it attractive for income-focused investors in higher tax brackets. While I have recommended it in the past, I view its premium to NAV and use of ROC as negatives right now. The backdrop for munis as a whole is positive, but I will stay away from funds like NMZ that favor junk-rated credit in favor of higher quality.

NMZ offers a high 7.7% tax-exempt yield, but capital appreciation is limited and the price has declined in recent years due to rising rates. The fund's performance and distribution sustainability are highly sensitive to interest rates; future rate cuts could be a positive catalyst. NMZ uses significant leverage and invests primarily in investment-grade municipal bonds but has inconsistent earnings and payout coverage.

NMZ has seen some weakness since my last review and I'm not convinced that the fund is out of the woods just yet. The fund has shifted from a discount to NAV to a premium, and that makes me generally cautious as a rule. Credit spreads have narrowed across the muni sector, telling me that investors need to be selective when approaching this sector.

NMZ's primary goal is high current income exempt from federal tax, with a secondary goal of attractive total return. Despite NMZ's recent equity-like returns, I recommend a "hold" due to potential market breather and better future entry points. Given the fund's strong momentum and increased valuation, a more cautious approach is warranted heading into 2025.

I evaluate Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund as an investment option in light of recent income boosts and declining inflation metrics. The fund still has a sharp discount to NAV, supporting a bullish view. Illinois bonds make up a good chunk of the overall portfolio. These issues are benefiting from an on-time budget, rising taxes, and an upgrade to "stable" from credit rating agencies for the state.

I am maintaining a "buy" rating for the Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund for multiple reasons. The fund is benefiting from a decline in long-term muni issuance and from a Fed pause in rate hikes. NMZ holds many non-rated bonds, but I still feel this is a safer option than going into junk rated corporates.

2023 year-end review of our 8% Income Portfolio. This high-income portfolio earned over $29,000 in distributions amounting to over 14% yield-on-cost basis and roughly 8.6% on average portfolio value. We will provide updates on trades during the year, dividends collected, and overall performance. As usual, we will compare the performance with a traditional 60:40 stock/bond portfolio.

Nuveen High Yield Muni: Generational Opportunity In Muni CEFs

Macro markets saw positive movement, with the S&P 500 up 1.81% and bonds performing well. The PPI report offset slightly hot CPI, leaving uncertainty about how the Fed will respond to rising inflation figures. PIMCO Corp & Inc Strat (PCN), a fund I've been high on for some time, has gone parabolic. There was a recommendation from a Seeking Alpha author that likely drove.

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund offers a 5.13% yield, which is equivalent to an 8.14% yield for investors in the top tax bracket. The NMZ closed-end fund's shares have declined by 16.33% over the past five years, performing poorly compared to the ICE AMT-Free US National Municipal Index. The fund invests in municipal securities rated Baa/BBB or lower, with a significant portion invested in unrated securities, which poses some risk.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nuveen Closed-End Funds today announced that the Board of Trustees of the Funds has approved the regular monthly and quarterly distributions. In addition, the Board of Trustees has approved updated distribution polices described below under “Monthly & Quarterly Distributions” for The Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund (NYSE: JPC), Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund (NYSE: JPI), Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund (NYSE: NPFD), Nuveen.

Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund and Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund have experienced significant declines since 2021. Both funds aim to provide high current income exempt from federal income tax and seek total return. The future performance of the funds is uncertain due to the unpredictability of interest rates, but the FOMC does not anticipate a return to ultra-low rates.

I see the Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund as a reasonable investment option for the right buyer at these levels. NMZ has performed well in a risk-on market environment and should continue to do so. There is still a discount to NAV present for NMZ and the fund's use of leverage is less of a problem if inflation continues to decline.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As previously announced on April 10, 2023, John V. Miller effective today is no longer a portfolio manager for Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund (NYSE: NMZ), Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NBB), Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund (NYSE: NMCO), and Nuveen Dynamic Municipal Opportunities Fund (NYSE: NDMO). There are no additional changes to the portfolio management teams, which are as follows: Daniel Close and Stephen Candido continue to.

NEW YORK , April 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective immediately, portfolio manager responsibilities for Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund (NYSE: NMZ),  Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NBB), Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund (NYSE: NMCO), and Nuveen Dynamic Municipal Opportunities Fund (NYSE: NDMO) have been updated.