First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II Declares its Monthly Common Share Distribution of $0.097 Per Share for March
MWN-AI** Summary
First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II (NYSE: FCT) has declared its monthly common share distribution of $0.097 per share for March 2026, benefiting shareholders with a payout scheduled for March 16, 2026. Shareholders of record as of March 2, 2026, will be eligible for this distribution, which carries a significant distribution rate of 11.58% based on the fund’s net asset value (NAV) of $10.05 as of February 18, 2026, and 11.66% based on the closing market price of $9.98.
The distribution will primarily comprise net investment income earned by the Fund, along with potential returns of capital and short-term realized capital gains. The tax status and source of all distributions will be clarified in Form 1099-DIV after the year concludes. Notably, First Trust aims to maintain steady distributions, a strategy intended to positively impact the market price and premium/discount relation to the Fund’s NAV, though it might also have some effect on the NAV itself.
FCT focuses on high current income and is diversified by primarily investing in senior secured floating-rate corporate loans, typically involving debt instruments rated below investment grade. However, investors should be aware of inherent risks, including the possibility of losing some or all of their investment, fluctuations in market value, and other risks associated with a portfolio of senior loans. As market conditions can significantly affect fund performance, potential investors should consider these dynamics and refer to the Fund’s official documentation for a detailed assessment of risks and performance history.
For more information, shareholders and potential investors can access updates via First Trust's website or customer service.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The announcement of the First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II (NYSE: FCT) declaring a monthly distribution of $0.097 per share has garnered attention, particularly given its attractive distribution yields of approximately 11.58% based on NAV and 11.66% on the closing market price as of February 18, 2026. For income-seeking investors, these yields position FCT as a compelling option, especially during times of fluctuating interest rates and economic uncertainty.
Investors should consider the underlying characteristics of the Fund's portfolio, which primarily invests in senior secured floating-rate corporate loans. This strategy typically offers less volatility compared to fixed-rate securities, as floating rates adjust with prevailing market conditions. However, investing in below-investment-grade securities, while potentially lucrative, carries inherent risks, including credit and liquidity risks. The Fund’s strategy emphasizes capital preservation, yet the volatility in the credit cycle could impact the net asset value (NAV) and consequently the market price of FCT shares.
Moreover, the practice of maintaining a stable monthly distribution can enhance investor confidence and potentially mitigate market price fluctuations. However, investors must remain vigilant regarding the principal risk factors highlighted by the Fund’s documentation, especially during economic downturns where default rates may rise in the lower-rated debt market.
In conclusion, while FCT's high distribution yield is enticing, potential investors should weigh the risks, including interest rate fluctuations and credit quality issues. A thorough assessment of individual risk tolerance and investment objectives is advisable before committing to FCT shares. For those willing to navigate the associated risks, the Fund may serve as a valuable component of a diversified income-generating investment strategy.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II (the "Fund") (NYSE: FCT) has declared the Fund’s regularly scheduled monthly common share distribution in the amount of $0.097 per share payable on March 16, 2026, to shareholders of record as of March 2, 2026. The ex-dividend date is expected to be March 2, 2026. The monthly distribution information for the Fund appears below.
First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II (FCT) : | |||||||
Distribution per share: | $0.097 | ||||||
Distribution Rate based on the February 18, 2026 NAV of $10.05: | 11.58% | ||||||
Distribution Rate based on the February 18, 2026 closing market price of $9.98: | 11.66% |
This distribution will consist of net investment income earned by the Fund and return of capital and may also consist of net short-term realized capital gains. The final determination of the source and tax status of all distributions paid in 2026 will be made after the end of 2026 and will be provided on Form 1099-DIV.
The Fund has a practice of seeking to maintain a relatively stable monthly distribution which may be changed periodically. First Trust Advisors L.P. ("FTA") believes the practice may benefit the Fund's market price and premium/discount to the Fund's NAV. The practice has no impact on the Fund's investment strategy and may reduce the Fund's NAV.
The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income. As a secondary objective, the Fund attempts to preserve capital. The Fund pursues these investment objectives by investing primarily in senior secured floating-rate corporate loans. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in lower grade debt instruments.
First Trust Advisors L.P. ("FTA") is a federally registered investment advisor and serves as the Fund's investment advisor. FTA and its affiliate First Trust Portfolios L.P. ("FTP"), a FINRA registered broker-dealer, are privately-held companies that provide a variety of investment services. FTA has collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $309 billion as of December 31, 2025 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and separate managed accounts. FTA is the supervisor of the First Trust unit investment trusts, while FTP is the sponsor. FTP is also a distributor of mutual fund shares and exchange-traded fund creation units. FTA and FTP are based in Wheaton, Illinois.
Principal Risk Factors: Risks are inherent in all investing. Certain risks applicable to the Fund are identified below, which includes the risk that you could lose some or all of your investment in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are spelled out in the Fund's annual shareholder reports. The order of the below risk factors does not indicate the significance of any particular risk factor. The Fund also files reports, proxy statements and other information that is available for review.
Past performance is no assurance of future results. Investment return and market value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate. Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. There can be no assurance that the Fund's investment objectives will be achieved. The Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.
Market risk is the risk that a particular investment, or shares of a fund in general may fall in value. Investments held by the Fund are subject to market fluctuations caused by real or perceived adverse economic conditions, political events, regulatory factors or market developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in securities prices. Shares of a fund could decline in value or underperform other investments as a result. In addition, local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, market manipulation, government defaults, government shutdowns, regulatory actions, political changes, diplomatic developments, the imposition of sanctions and other similar measures, spread of infectious disease or other public health issues, recessions, natural disasters or other events could have significant negative impact on a fund and its investments.
Current market conditions risk is the risk that a particular investment, or shares of the fund in general, may fall in value due to current market conditions. For example, changes in governmental fiscal and regulatory policies, disruptions to banking and real estate markets, actual and threatened international armed conflicts and hostilities, and public health crises, among other significant events, could have a material impact on the value of the fund's investments.
The Fund will typically invest in senior loans rated below investment grade, which are commonly referred to as "junk" or "high-yield" securities and considered speculative because of the credit risk of their issuers. Such issuers are more likely than investment grade issuers to default on their payments of interest and principal owed to the Fund, and such defaults could reduce the Fund's NAV and income distributions. An economic downturn would generally lead to a higher non-payment rate, and a senior loan may lose significant market value before a default occurs. Moreover, any specific collateral used to secure a senior loan may decline in value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect the senior loan's value.
The senior loan market has seen an increase in loans with weaker lender protections which may impact recovery values and/or trading levels in the future. The absence of financial maintenance covenants in a loan agreement generally means that the lender may not be able to declare a default if financial performance deteriorates. This may hinder the Fund's ability to reprice credit risk associated with a particular borrower and reduce the Fund's ability to restructure a problematic loan and mitigate potential loss. As a result, the Fund's exposure to losses on investments in senior loans may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle or changes in market or economic conditions.
A second lien loan may have a claim on the same collateral pool as the first lien or it may be secured by a separate set of assets. Second lien loans are typically secured by a second priority security interest or lien on specified collateral securing the Borrower's obligation under the interest. Because second lien loans are second to first lien loans, they present a greater degree of investment risk. Specifically, these loans are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the Borrower and property securing the loan may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to those loans with a higher priority. In addition, loans that have a lower than first lien priority on collateral of the Borrower generally have greater price volatility than those loans with a higher priority and may be less liquid.
In the event a borrower fails to pay scheduled interest or principal payments on a senior loan held by the Fund, the Fund will experience a reduction in its income and a decline in the value of the senior loan, which will likely reduce dividends and lead to a decline in the net asset value of the Fund's common shares. If the Fund acquires a senior loan from another lender, for example, by acquiring a participation, the Fund may also be subject to credit risks with respect to that lender. Although senior loans may be secured by specific collateral, the value of the collateral may not equal the Fund's investment when the senior loan is acquired or may decline below the principal amount of the senior loan subsequent to the Fund's investment. Also, to the extent that collateral consists of stock of the borrower or its subsidiaries or affiliates, the Fund bears the risk that the stock may decline in value, be relatively illiquid, and/or may lose all or substantially all of its value, causing the senior loan to be under collateralized. Therefore, the liquidation of the collateral underlying a senior loan may not satisfy the issuer's obligation to the Fund in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal, and the collateral may not be readily liquidated.
Distressed securities frequently do not produce income while they are outstanding. The Fund may be required to incur certain extraordinary expenses in order to protect and recover its investment. The Fund also will be subject to significant uncertainty as to when and in what manner and for what value the obligations evidenced by the distressed securities will eventually be satisfied.
Use of leverage can result in additional risk and cost, and can magnify the effect of any losses.
The Fund's portfolio is also subject to credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, prepayment risk and reinvestment risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that fixed-income securities will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer of a security will be unable or unwilling to make dividend, interest and/or principal payments when due and that the value of a security may decline as a result. Credit risk may be heightened for the Fund because it invests in below investment grade securities. Liquidity risk is the risk that the fund may have difficulty disposing of senior loans if it seeks to repay debt, pay dividends or expenses, or take advantage of a new investment opportunity. Prepayment risk is the risk that, upon a prepayment, the actual outstanding debt on which the Fund derives interest income will be reduced. The Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds received on terms as favorable as the prepaid loan. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund's portfolio will decline if the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called instruments at market interest rates that are below the Fund's portfolio's current earnings rate.
The risks of investing in the Fund are spelled out in the shareholder reports and other regulatory filings.
The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any other regulatory framework. Financial professionals are responsible for evaluating investment risks independently and for exercising independent judgment in determining whether investments are appropriate for their clients.
The Fund's daily closing New York Stock Exchange price and net asset value per share as well as other information can be found at https://www.ftportfolios.com or by calling 1-800-988-5891.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260219661062/en/
Press Inquiries: Ryan Issakainen, 630-765-8689
Analyst Inquiries: Jeff Margolin, 630-915-6784
Broker Inquiries: Sales Team, 866-848-9727
FAQ**
How does the distribution strategy of First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II of Beneficial Interest FCT affect its market price relative to its NAV?
What specific credit risks should investors consider when investing in First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II of Beneficial Interest FCT, given its focus on below investment grade securities?
How does the economic environment influence the performance and income stability of First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II of Beneficial Interest FCT, particularly during downturns?
What measures are in place to manage the liquidity risk associated with First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II of Beneficial Interest FCT, especially during periods of market volatility?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II of Beneficial Interest (NYSE: FCT).
NASDAQ: FCT
FCT Trading
-0.2% G/L:
$9.75 Last:
153,909 Volume:
$9.77 Open:



