Closed-end Fund

A closed-end fund is legally known as a closed-end management company. A closed-end fund issues a fixed number of shares, usually through a one-time public offering, after which time shares in the closed-end fund are traded on a stock exchange, and not directly from the fund. A closed-end fund differs from a mutual (open-end) fund, which continuously issues new shares. A closed-end fund also differs from a mutual fund in that it may issue senior securities such as preferred stocks or bonds. The price of a share in a closed-end fund is determined entirely by the market and is not directly related to the NAV per share. Shares of a closed-end fund may sell at a discount or premium to the NAV. The process of buying or selling shares of a closed-end fund is identical to the purchase or sale of any other listed stock. Closed-end mutual funds are actively managed.