Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (GOF)
NYSE NYSE Primary 
Guggenheim's Monster Fund GOF: Admiring The Skill, Fearing The Price
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (GOF) trades at a 27.84% premium, leveraging opportunistic credit with a high 15.15% distribution rate and significant leverage of ~23%. Despite impressive historical returns, the fund's premium poses a risk, especially in volatile markets, potentially leading to severe drawdowns. The portfolio includes high-risk assets like distressed debt and CLO equity, which could be problematic during economic downturns or credit spread blowouts.
GOF: Credit Deteriorating, Stay Cautious
I maintain a sell rating on the Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund due to its unsustainable 29% premium to NAV and excessive distribution policies. Despite strong historical performance, GOF's high-yield bonds and leveraged loans are vulnerable to widening credit spreads amid economic uncertainty from Trump's tariff policies. GOF's distribution yield of 19.6% on NAV is not fully covered by its earnings, leading to NAV depletion and increased risk during market shocks.
This 17.9%-Yielding Fund Has Maintained Its Payment for Over a Decade. Can That Streak Continue in 2025?
The 17.9% yield of the Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (GOF -9.74%) is enticing, and as you will see shortly, this fund has an excellent record of distributions to investors. Still, the key questions are: Is it sustainable?
GOF: The Future Of Interest Rates Can Make Or Break This Fund
GOF offers a high dividend yield of 14.4%, but its NAV has been declining, raising concerns about long-term sustainability and premium valuation. The fund's strategy includes high exposure to below-investment-grade borrowers and option writing, which limits upside potential and increases risk in a high-interest-rate environment. Despite consistent dividends since inception, Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund's earnings haven't fully supported distributions, relying heavily on return of capital, which may appeal to income-focused investors.
GOF: Enough Is Enough With The Premium, I'm Out (Downgrade)
The Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund has boasted impressive returns, beating out the S&P 500 since my first recommendation. GOF's premium has surged to 31.37%, making it expensive compared to its NAV, leading to a recommendation to rotate into cheaper funds. Moderate and conservative investors should consider selling GOF to capitalize on the high premium and invest in alternative CEFs trading at discounts.
GOF: Here We Go Again
The Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund is a top-performing credit fund with an unsustainable distribution policy. The fund's 18% NAV distribution yield far exceeds its 8.9% long-term returns, depleting NAV and making the distribution policy unsustainable. With its premium to NAV once again over 30%, I believe investors should sell GOF to avoid a likely collapse of the premium in the coming quarters.
GOF: The Ascending Valuation Is A Problem
GOF is a diversified closed-end fund with a strong long-term performance, yielding 13.8% annually since inception. The fund's current valuation is rich, trading at a 32% premium to NAV. GOF's portfolio is credit-heavy, leveraging high-yield debt and securitized loans.
GOF: Distribution May Be Under Threat If There Are No Improvements
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund operates as a closed end fund that generates its earnings through a mixed portfolio of fixed income assets and equities. The large 13.8% dividend yield makes GOF appealing for income investors, but I question the sustainability of the distribution due to weak coverage. GOF has outperformed the S&P 500 with a 37% YTD return through a combination of price appreciation and high income.
Three 10%+ Yields With Serious Downside
Who is paying a 27% premium for Guggenheim Strategic Opportunity Fund (GOF)?
GOF: Why I'm Downgrading This 16.2% Distribution Rate To A Sell
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund trades at a 23.86% premium to NAV, with a distribution rate of 16.2% and total leverage ratio of 22.6%. The fund has a history of trading at a premium and strong performance, outperforming high-yield and aggregate bond ETFs. The fund's portfolio includes various fixed-income instruments, bank loans, high-yield bonds, and preferred securities, but may face downside risk in riskier credit scenarios.
