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abrdn Life Sciences Investors (HQL) and abrdn Healthcare Investors (HQH) Announce an Additional 20% Increase in Distribution Rates Representing a 50% Increase Since January 2024

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PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / May 9, 2024 / abrdn Life Sciences Investors (HQL) and abrdn Healthcare Investors (HQH), (collectively, the "Funds") each, a closed-end management investment company, announced today its Board of Trustees (each a "Board" and collectively, the "Boards") have approved an increase in each Fund's respective annualized distribution rate on NAV from 10% to 12%.

Notably, HQH and HQL had previously announced distribution increases in February 2024, which increased the annualized distribution rate from 8% to 10%. The distribution rate for each Fund has therefore increased by 50% since the beginning of 2024.

The increased rate for both Funds will commence with the distributions payable on June 28, 2024, to all shareholders of record as of May 23, 2024 (ex-dividend date May 22, 2024). The Funds each intend to maintain the increased Managed Distribution Policy for at least the next 12 months unless there is significant and unforeseen change in market conditions.

Payment details of the new distribution policy for each of the Funds are reflected in the table below.

Ticker

Exchange

Fund

Distribution Policy Previous

Distribution Policy New

Declared Distribution

Amount

HQH

NYSE

abrdn Healthcare Investors

Annualized rate of 10% of rolling NAV

Annualized rate of 12% of rolling NAV

$ 0.5900

HQL

NYSE

abrdn Life Sciences Investors

Annualized rate of 10% of rolling NAV

Annualized rate of 12% of rolling NAV

$ 0.4800

HQL and HQH distribute quarterly all or a portion of its net investment income, including current gains, to common shareholders. Each Fund relies on exemptive relief from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that allows the Fund to distribute long-term capital gains as frequently as monthly in any one taxable year. The distributions for each Fund will be made from net investment income, net realized capital gains and, to any extent necessary, return of capital.

Pursuant to their existing elective stock distribution policies, HQH and HQL distributions will automatically be paid in newly issued shares of the respective Fund unless otherwise instructed by the shareholder. Shares of common stock will be issued at the lower of the net asset value ("NAV") per share or the market price per share with a floor for the NAV of not less than 95% of the market price. The valuation date for this stock distribution is June 18, 2024. Fractional shares will generally be settled in cash, except for registered shareholders with book entry accounts at Computershare Investor Services who will have whole and fractional shares added to their account.