Global High Income Fund Inc. (the "Fund") (NYSE: GHI), a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company seeking high current income and secondarily, capital appreciation through investments primarily in debt securities of emerging market issuers, today announced its performance for the fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal year ended October 31, 2007.
For the fiscal fourth quarter ended October 31, 2007, the Fund's earnings from net investment income (excluding short-term capital gains) were $3,674,201, equal to $0.17 per share. During this period, the Fund paid monthly distributions from net investment income of $7,248,379, equal to $0.34 per share. Total net realized and unrealized gains from investment activities were $12,321,648, equal to $0.57 per share, for the same period. This compares to earnings from net investment income of $5,013,156, equal to $0.23 per share; monthly distributions paid from net investment income of $7,133,942, equal to $0.33 per share; and total net realized and unrealized gains from investment activities of $8,286,478 equal to $0.38 per share for the fiscal fourth quarter ended October 31, 2006.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007, the Fund's earnings from net investment income (excluding short-term capital gains) were $19,365,730, equal to $0.90 per share. During this period, the Fund paid monthly distributions from net investment income of $17,710,302, equal to $0.82 per share and distributions from long-term capital gains of $11,479,701, equal to $0.53 per share. Total net realized and unrealized gains from investment activities were $18,667,908, equal to $0.86 per share, for the same period. This compares to earnings from net investment income of $16,838,776, equal to $0.79 per share; distributions paid from net investment income of $51,987,725, equal to $2.56 per share; and total net realized and unrealized gains from investment activities of $19,010,158, equal to $0.87 per share, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2006.
On October 31, 2007, total net assets of the Fund were $329,391,236. The net asset value per share was $15.26, based on 21,591,836 shares outstanding, which represents an increase of 2.76% from the net asset value per share of $14.85, ($320,547,601 attributable to 21,591,836 shares outstanding) on October 31, 2006.
The Fund adopted a managed distribution policy in December 1999, which was revised in May 2005. Pursuant to the policy as currently in effect, the Fund makes regular monthly distributions at an annualized rate equal to 9% of the Fund's net asset value, as determined as of the last day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading during the first week of that month.
To the extent that the Fund's taxable income in any fiscal year exceeds the aggregate amount distributed based on a fixed percentage of its net asset value, the Fund would make an additional distribution in the amount of that excess near the end of the fiscal year. To the extent that the aggregate amount distributed by the Fund based on a fixed percentage of its net asset value exceeds its current and accumulated earnings and profits, the amount of that excess would constitute a return of capital or net realized capital gain for tax purposes. From time to time, the Fund may project that a portion of a monthly distribution may consist of a return of capital based on information available at that time. Such an estimate is subject to change based on the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year. The actual sources of the Fund's regular monthly distributions may be net investment income, net realized capital gains, return of capital or a combination of the foregoing and may be subject to retroactive recharacterization at the end of the Fund's fiscal year based on tax regulations. The actual amounts attributable to each of the sources will be reported to each shareholder in January of a year on Form 1099-DIV.
Monthly distributions based on a fixed percentage of the Fund's net asset value may require the Fund to make multiple distributions of long-term capital gains during a single fiscal year. The Fund has received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission that enables it to do so. The Fund's Board will reassess the annualized percentage of net assets at which the Fund's monthly distributions will be made at least annually. The Fund's Board may change or terminate the managed distribution policy at any time; any such change or termination may have an adverse effect on the market price for the Fund's shares.