High Excess Capital Yield and Sustainable Dividends

Voya Large Cap Value Fund Quarterly Commentary - 4Q24

Key Takeaways

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the equity markets experienced mixed returns. Domestic large - and small - cap stocks delivered positive returns, while value indices and international markets saw declines. Cyclical sectors, such as consumer discretionary, financials and technology, outperformed defensive sectors. Growth factors led performance, while value factors declined.

The outlook for equities in 2025 is cautiously optimistic as the U.S. economy remains strong and the Trump administration is expected to implement favorable policies in terms of deregulation and taxes. However, risks such as tariffs, inflation and geopolitics may result in volatility.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, the Fund outperformed the Russell 1000 Value Index (the Index) on a net asset value (NAV) basis, due to favorable stock selection. The consumer discretionary, information technology and industrials sectors contributed the most to performance. Conversely, the selection consumer staples, utilities and health care detracted from performance.

Actively managed large cap value strategy that relies on fundamental research to capture the benefits of high excess capital yield and sustainable dividends.

Portfolio Review

U.S. stocks continued their upward trajectory during the fourth quarter following Donald Trump’s presidential victory, with the S&P 500 Index rising by 2.41% and the Nasdaq Composite advancing by 6.17%. The consumer discretionary and communication services sectors led, while materials and healthcare lagged. Large cap stocks outperformed small caps, and growth stocks significantly beat value stocks. 

The U.S. bond market struggled during the quarter on concerns about sticky inflation and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s more conservative rate-cut path. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index declined by –3.06% and the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose by more than 80 basis points (bp), ending the quarter at 4.58%. The Fed cut rates by 25 bp in November and December. However, the central bank now projects just two rate cuts in 2025, reflecting a more cautious stance in response to strong economic data.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, the Fund outperformed the Index on a NAV basis due to favorable stock selection. Stock selection within the consumer discretionary, information technology and industrials sectors contributed the most to performance. Conversely, the selection within consumer staples, utilities and health care detracted from performance. 

At the individual stock level overweight positions in Tapestry, Inc, Expand Energy Corp. and Boeing Co. contributed to performance the most. 

An overweight position in Tapestry, Inc. (TPR) positively impacted performance. The stock appreciated following the announcement in November of the termination of the merger with Capri Holdings, along with the approval of a $2 billion share repurchase program. 

An overweight position in Expand Energy Corp. (EXE) contributed to performance. The potential for increased Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) exports driven by the new presidential administration along with increased power demand driven by the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) have benefitted the shares. 

An overweight position in the Boeing Co. (BA) contributed to performance. The company executed a successful capital raise and also resolved the machinist strike in the period. Not owning JPMorgan Chase & Co., as well as overweight positions in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and HF Sinclair Corp. were the biggest individual detractors. 

Not owning a position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) detracted from performance. Following the election, financial sector stocks, including JPMorgan, benefitted from a "red sweep" in government. This raised optimism about potential deregulation, which could lower costs for banks. 

An overweight position in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) detracted from performance. The stock declined following a disappointing earnings report. Additionally, the stock faced pressure after the election, as the incoming Trump administration was seen as potentially harmful to growth in the healthcare sector, with concerns over high China tariffs and reduced National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. 

An overweight position in HF Sinclair Corp. (DINO), detracted from performance. Despite better results versus expectations, investors were disappointed that management indicated that the sale of its Lubricants business might not happen.

Current Strategy and Outlook

After months of noise surrounding the U.S. presidential election, markets have now refocused on macroeconomic data, which offer mixed signals. Key concerns include global geopolitical tensions, especially around tariffs, and deteriorating sentiment tied to mega-cap positioning and broader market weakness. Despite these challenges, U.S. equities should continue to benefit from robust consumer spending, optimism around artificial intelligence and solid corporate earnings. U.S. inflation is projected at 2.5% for 2025, but the new administration’s policies could reverse the disinflation trend.

Holdings Detail

Companies mentioned in this report—percentage of Strategy investments, as of 12/31/24: Tapestry, Inc. 0.85%, Expand Energy Corp. 2.15%, Boeing Co. 2.50%, JPMorgan Chase & Co. 0.00%, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 1.71% and HF Sinclair Corp. 0.90%, 0% indicates that the security is no longer in the portfolio. Portfolio holdings are subject to daily change.

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The Russell 1000 Value index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecast growth values. The index does not reflect fees, brokerage commissions, taxes or other expenses of investing. Investors cannot directly invest in an index.

Investment Risks: All investing involves risks of fluctuating prices and the uncertainties of rates of return and yield inherent in investing. An investment in securities of larger companies carries with it the risk that the company (and its earnings) may grow more slowly than the economy as a whole or not at all. Value investing securities that appear to be undervalued may never appreciate to the extent expected and are generally more sensitive to changing economic conditions. Foreign investing poses special risks including currency fluctuation, economic and political risks not found in investments that are solely domestic. The risks of emerging markets securities may be intensified. Because the Fund may invest in other investment companies, you may pay a proportionate share of the expenses of that other investment company, in addition to the expenses of the Fund. Other risks of the Fund include but are not limited to: company, convertible securities; dividend risks; interest rate, investment model, market trends; inability to sell securities; real estate companies and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and securities lending risks. Investors should consult the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for a more detailed discussion of the Fund’s risks.

The strategy employs a quantitative model to execute the strategy. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively affect performance. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the quantitative models used in managing the strategy will perform as anticipated or enable the strategy to achieve its objective.

The strategy is available as a mutual fund or variable portfolio. The mutual fund may be available to you as part of your employer sponsored retirement plan. There may be additional plan level fees resulting in personal performance that varies from stated performance. Please call your benefits office for more information.

Variable annuities and group annuities are long-term investments designed for retirement purposes. If withdrawals are taken prior to age 59½, an IRS 10% premature distribution penalty tax may apply. Money taken from the annuity will be taxed as ordinary income in the year the money is distributed. An annuity does not provide any additional tax deferral benefit, as tax deferral is provided by the plan. Annuities may be subject to additional fees and expenses to which other tax-qualified funding vehicles may not be subject. However, an annuity does provide other features and benefits, such as lifetime income payments and death benefits, which may be valuable to you.

Variable investments, of any kind, are not guaranteed and are subject to investment risk including the possible loss of principal. The investment return and principal value of the security will fluctuate so that when redeemed, it may be worth more or less than the original investment. In addition, there is no guarantee that any variable investment option will meet its stated objective. All guarantees are based on the financial strength and claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company, who is solely responsible for all obligations under its policies.

Insurance products, annuities and funding agreements issued by Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (“VRIAC”), One Orange Way, Windsor, CT 06095, which is solely responsible for meeting its obligations. Plan administrative services provided by VRIAC or Voya Institutional Plan Services, LLC (“VIPS”). Securities distributed by or offered through Voya Financial Partners, LLC (“VFP”) (member SIPC)or other broker-dealers with which it has a selling agreement. Only Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company is admitted and can issue products in the state of New York. All companies are members of Voya Financial.

This commentary has been prepared by Voya Investment Management for informational purposes. Nothing contained herein should be construed as (i) an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any security or (ii) a recommendation as to the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling any security. Any opinions expressed herein reflect our judgment and are subject to change. Certain of the statements contained herein are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements due to, without limitation, (1) general economic conditions, (2) performance of financial markets, (3) interest rate levels, (4) increasing levels of loan defaults (5) changes in laws and regulations and (6) changes in the policies of governments and/or regulatory authorities. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The opinions, views and information expressed in this commentary regarding holdings are subject to change without notice. The information provided regarding holdings is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Portfolio holdings are fluid and are subject to daily change based on market conditions and other factors.

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