Browse Analysis of Managed and Structured Products

18.4.2 Reinvesting Distributions

Enhance your understanding of reinvesting distributions, and grasp how it influences net asset value per share (NAVPS), mutual funds, and long-term investment growth.

Reinvesting Distributions

Many mutual funds automatically reinvest distributions into new shares at the prevailing net asset value (NAV), without a sales charge on the newly purchased shares. Shareholders generally have the flexibility to switch between cash dividends and dividend reinvestment options.

Impact on NAVPS

The reaction of the NAVPS to distributions is akin to the behavior of a stock when it starts trading ex-dividend. On a distribution day, the NAVPS falls by an amount proportionate to the dividend distributed. As most dividends are reinvested in the form of additional shares rather than cash, the net effect is an increase in the number of units owned, though each unit’s worth diminishes accordingly.

Example Calculation

Consider a hypothetical fund of $9,000,000 with 1,000,000 units outstanding. The NAVPS, in this case, is $9.00 ((\text{NAVPS} = \frac{ ext{Total Assets}}{ ext{Units}} = \frac{9,000,000}{1,000,000} = 9.00)). Upon declaring a dividend of $0.90 per unit, worth a total of $900,000, the fund’s total assets decrease to $8,100,000.

After the distribution, the new NAVPS is $8.10 ((\text{New NAVPS} = \frac{8,100,000}{1,000,000} = 8.10)).

    table
	  title Impact of Distribution on Total Net Assets
	  header Before Distribution,After Distribution,Reinvested Distributions
	  Portfolio:$8,075,000,$8,075,000,$8,075,000
	  Cash:$950,000,$50,000,$950,000
	  Expenses:($25,000),($25,000),($25,000)
	  Net Assets:$9,000,000,$8,100,000,$9,000,000

Post-distribution Scenario

After the reinvestment, the fund’s assets are again wholly self-contained, and the initial total of $9,000,000 remains intact within the fund. The overall effect is that investors own more units worth less individually.

Suppose an investor holds 1,000 units. The investor receives a $0.90 per unit distribution, thus totaling $900 ((1,000 \text{ units} \times 0.90 = 900)). This distribution is reinvested in new units with a NAVPS of $8.10. This results in the allotment of approximately 111.11 new units ((\frac{900}{8.10} = 111.11)). After reinvestment, the investor owns 1,111.11 units.

    table
	  title Impact of Distribution on Value of Investment
	  header Before Distribution,After Distribution
	  Value: $9,000, $9,000
	  Units:$1,000,$1,111.11
	  NAVPS:$9.00,$8.10

Long-Term Value of Reinvesting Distributions

New investors sometimes question the merit of reinvesting distributions in a relatively stable investment. Consider the following example to underscore the power of reinvested distributions for long-term growth.

Example: Martha’s Investment

Martha invests $10,000 in a no-load mutual fund when each unit is priced at $10. Annual distributions are used to purchase additional units at year-end prices. The table below demonstrates her investment growth over a few years, without considering taxes.

    table
	  title Investment Growth Despite Little Change in Price
	  header Year-End, Beginning Units,Price Before Distribution, Distribution,$ Price After Distribution,New Units Purchased
	  1,$10.00,$1,000,$11.50,$1.00$,$10.50$,$95.24\left(\frac{1000}{10.50}\right)$
	  2,$10.50,$1,095.24,$12.00,$1.00$,$11.00$,$99.57$
	  3,$11.00,$1,194.81,$11.50,$1.00$,$10.50$,$113.79$
	  4,$10.50,$1,308.60,,,,

By the end of the third year, after reinvesting a distribution at $10.50 per unit, Martha accrues 1,308.60 units. Her investment valuation then rises to $13,740.26 ((10.50 \times 1,308.60 = 13,740.26)). Despite minimal pricing shifts, her investment benefits significantly from reinvested dividends.

Key Takeaways

  • NAVPS Impact: Post-distribution NAVPS decreases proportional to the dividend, maintaining total investment value through new units.
  • Reinvestment Benefits: Reinvesting distributions can substantially increase the total number of units owned, enhancing long-term growth without changing the initial investment’s valuation.
  • Growth Demonstration: Consistent reinvestment showcases notable growth over time, preserving the initial worth regardless of small NAVPS changes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is NAVPS?

NAVPS stands for Net Asset Value per Share. It’s calculated by dividing the total value of a fund’s assets by its number of outstanding units or shares.

Why does NAVPS drop after a distribution?

The NAVPS drops after a distribution because the value of the distributed amount is subtracted from the fund’s total assets, reducing each unit’s worth proportionally.

Is reinvesting distributions advantageous?

Yes, reinvesting distributions rather than taking them as cash can lead to increased investment units, driving compounded growth over time, showcased by stable or increase investment value.

Can I switch between cash dividends and reinvesting?

Most mutual fund providers offer the flexibility to switch between receiving cash dividends and opting for reinvestment based on your preference.

Glossary

  • Net Asset Value per Share (NAVPS): The total value of a fund’s assets divided by the number of shares outstanding.
  • Dividend Reinvestment: The process through which a mutual fund investor’s dividends are used to purchase more shares of the fund.
  • Ex-Dividend: The status of a stock when the declared dividend belongs to the seller, meaning the stockholder does not receive the dividend.
  • No-Load Fund: A mutual fund sold directly to investors without any sales charge.

Conclusion

Reinvesting distributions is a powerful tool in the realm of mutual funds, ensuring growth without external intervention. By understanding the impact on NAVPS, the implications of reinvested dividends, and leveraging the compounding effect, investors can systematically enhance their portfolio value over time. Secure your long-term growth by wisely choosing reinvested distributions in your investment strategy.


📚✨ Quiz Time! ✨📚

Welcome to the Knowledge Checkpoint! You'll find 10 carefully curated CSC® exam practice questions designed to reinforce the key concepts covered in our free Canadian Securities Course. These questions will help you gauge your grasp of the material, identify areas that need further review, and ensure you're on the right track towards mastering the content for the Canadian Securities certification exams. Take your time, think critically, and use these quizzes as a tool to enhance your learning journey. 📘✨

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## What occurs when distributions are reinvested into new shares? - [ ] The net asset value per share (NAVPS) increases. - [x] Distributions are reinvested into new shares at prevailing NAVPS without a sales charge. - [ ] The total number of units decreases. - [ ] The fund value decreases permanently. > **Explanation:** When distributions are reinvested, shareholders automatically purchase new shares at the current NAVPS, without additional sales charges, increasing their number of shares owned. ## How does the NAVPS of a fund typically react to a distribution? - [ ] NAVPS increases proportional to the dividend. - [x] NAVPS falls by an amount proportionate to the dividend. - [ ] NAVPS remains unchanged. - [ ] NAVPS doubles. > **Explanation:** The NAVPS falls by the amount of the dividend, similar to a stock on its ex-dividend date. The decline reflects the payout of the distribution. ## What is the effect on an investor’s portfolio after receiving and reinvesting a dividend? - [x] The investor owns more units, but the units are each worth less. - [ ] The investor owns fewer units, but each unit is worth more. - [ ] The investor’s portfolio value decreases. - [ ] The number and value of units remain unchanged. > **Explanation:** After reinvesting a distribution, an investor has more units that are each worth less, but the total value of their investment remains the same. ## Given a fund with a NAVPS of $9 and a total value of $9,000,000, what would the NAVPS be after a $0.90 per unit dividend distribution? - [ ] $9.90 - [ ] $8.90 - [ ] $8.50 - [x] $8.10 > **Explanation:** The NAVPS would be $8.10 ($9 - $0.90) after the dividend distribution of $0.90 per unit on a $9 NAVPS fund. ## How many new units would an investor with 1,000 units receive after reinvesting a $0.90 per unit dividend, if the new NAVPS is $8.10? - [ ] 100 - [x] 111.11 - [ ] 90 - [ ] 123.45 > **Explanation:** The investor would receive 111.11 new units ($900 ÷ $8.10) after reinvesting the dividend. ## After distributions, what happens to the total net assets of the fund if dividends are reinvested? - [ ] They increase. - [ ] They decrease to the value after distribution but before reinvestment. - [ ] They are divided among shareholders. - [x] They remain the same. > **Explanation:** Total net assets remain the same when distributions are reinvested, as the assets are simply allocated into new units without any funds leaving the investment. ## What demonstrates the value of reinvesting distributions even if the unit price changes little over time? - [x] Increased total investment value through additional units. - [ ] Decreased NAVPS. - [ ] Constant number of units owned. - [ ] Diminished initial investment value. > **Explanation:** Reinvesting distributions leads to an increased number of units owned, which results in overall investment growth even if the unit price shows little change. ## How many total units would Martha have after three years if she reinvested annual distributions, starting with 1,000 units at $10 per unit? - [ ] 1,000 - [ ] 1,095.24 - [ ] 1,194.81 - [x] 1,308.60 > **Explanation:** After three years and reinvesting distributions, Martha would own 1,308.60 units. ## If Martha's mutual fund unit price is $11.50 before a $1.00 per unit distribution, what will be the price after the distribution? - [ ] $12.50 - [ ] $11.00 - [x] $10.50 - [ ] $9.50 > **Explanation:** After a $1.00 per unit distribution, the new price would be $10.50 ($11.50 - $1.00). ## What is the primary reason for receiving new units worth less after a distribution? - [ ] The distribution implies the fund’s growth potential is lower. - [ ] The fund incurs additional operational costs. - [ ] It's a mechanism to discourage frequent trading. - [x] Dividend payments reduce the fund's NAVPS by the amount distributed. > **Explanation:** Dividend payments reduce the fund's NAVPS by the dividend amount, resulting in more units worth less each for the investor.

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