Pioneer Investments Announces Changes in Investment Policies of Pioneer Floating Rate Trust (NYSE: PHD)

Pioneer Investments today announced that the Board of Trustees of Pioneer Floating Rate Trust (the “Fund”) has approved the following investment policy changes for the Fund. The Fund will implement these changes on August 1, 2014.

Second Lien Loans

The below non-fundamental investment policy has been modified by removing the description of floating rate loans as “senior” in the capital structure. The revised policy is as follows:

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing at least 80% of its assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in floating rate loans.

Although the Fund is currently permitted to invest in second lien loans, this policy change will allow for greater flexibility to invest in such loans. The Fund does not expect that investments in second lien loans generally will exceed 15% of the Fund’s assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes).

Non-U.S. Securities

The investment policy regarding the Fund’s investment limitation on non-U.S. securities was increased from 10% to 35% of its assets. This change will provide additional portfolio management flexibility. The revised policy is as follows:

The Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in floating rate loans and other securities of non-U.S. issuers, including emerging markets securities.

An investor should consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

Risks of investing in floating rate loans. Floating rate loans typically are rated below investment grade (debt securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as “junk bonds”). The fund’s investments in floating rate loans may include unsecured or subordinated loans. Floating rate loans and similar investments may be illiquid or less liquid than other investments. No active trading market may exist for many floating rate loans, and many loans are subject to restrictions on resale. Market quotations for these securities may be volatile and/or subject to large spreads between bid and ask prices. Any secondary market may be subject to irregular trading activity and extended trade settlement periods. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a loan may lose significant value before a default occurs. There is less readily available, reliable information about loans than is the case for other types of securities. Although the features of loans, including typically being secured by collateral and having priority over other obligations of the issuer, reduce some of the risks of investment in below investment grade securities, the loans are subject to significant risks.

Certain floating rate loans and other corporate debt securities involve refinancings, recapitalizations, mergers and acquisitions, and other financings for general corporate purposes. Other loans are incurred in restructuring or “work-out” scenarios, including debtor-in-possession facilities in bankruptcy. Loans to highly leveraged companies are especially vulnerable to adverse economic or market conditions and the risk of default.

Risks of second lien and other subordinated securities. Second lien loans generally are subject to similar risks as those associated with senior (first lien) loans. Because second lien loans are subordinated and thus lower in priority on payment to senior loans, they are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the senior secured obligations of the borrower. This risk is generally higher for subordinated unsecured loans or debt, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral. Second lien loans generally have greater price volatility than senior loans and may be less liquid.

Second lien loans and other subordinated securities are more likely to suffer a credit loss than non-subordinated securities of the same issuer, any loss incurred by the subordinated securities is likely to be proportionately greater, and any recovery of interest or principal may take more time. As a result, even a perceived decline in creditworthiness of the issuer is likely to have a greater impact on them.

Risks of non-U.S. investments. Investing in non-U.S. issuers, or in U.S. issuers that have significant exposure to foreign markets, may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks are more pronounced for issuers in emerging markets or to the extent that the fund invests significantly in one region or country. These risks may include different financial reporting practices and regulatory standards, less liquid trading markets, extreme price volatility, currency risks, changes in economic, political, regulatory and social conditions, sustained economic downturns, financial instability, tax burdens, and investment and repatriation restrictions. Lack of information and less market regulation also may affect the value of these securities. Withholding and other non-U.S. taxes may decrease the fund’s return. Non-U.S. issuers may be located in parts of the world that have historically been prone to natural disasters. Investing in depositary receipts is subject to many of the same risks as investing directly in non-U.S. issuers. Depository receipts may involve higher expenses and may trade at a discount (or premium) to the underlying security.

The Fund is a closed-end investment company and trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol PHD. Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. is the Fund’s investment adviser.

Keep in mind, dividends are not guaranteed. Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously offered. There is a one-time public offering and once issued, common shares of closed-end funds are bought and sold in the open market through a stock exchange and frequently trade at prices lower than their net asset value. Net Asset Value (NAV) is total assets less total liabilities divided by the number of common shares outstanding. For performance data on Pioneer's closed-end funds, please call 800-225-6292 or visit our closed-end pricing page.

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