Royce Focus Trust (NASDAQ: FUND) to Suspend Managed Distribution Policy

NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
At a meeting held today, the Board of Directors of Royce Focus Trust approved
the suspension of the Fund`s 5% quarterly distribution policy for Common
Stockholders in light of current market conditions and other factors. The 5%
managed quarterly distribution policy, adopted in 2004, was designed to spread
capital gain distribution more evenly over the year, rather than occurring just
at year-end, and the rate was set based on an historic approximate average of
distributed net realized gains.

At April 30, 2009, the Fund had approximately $9 million of net realized losses
and $19 million of net unrealized depreciation, for a combined 29% of the Fund`s
net assets applicable to Common Stockholders. The Fund intends the suspension to
continue until such time as it can again regularly distribute net realized
gains, which should occur after it has utilized the Fund`s capital loss
carryforwards. Until such time, the Fund will distribute any net investment
income on an annual basis in December.

The Board believes that this decision is in the best interests of the Common
Stockholders. It will allow the Fund to retain assets, which Royce & Associates,
LLC, the Fund`s investment adviser, deems crucial as it seeks to continue taking
advantage of what it believes are excellent opportunities in the current
small-cap marketplace. The Board also considered the potentially adverse tax
consequences that could occur if this policy were to continue. In certain
circumstances, returns of capital could be taxable for federal income tax
purposes, and all or a portion of the Fund`s capital loss carryforwards from
prior years could effectively be forfeited.

More information on Royce Focus Trust and closed-end fund investing can be found
at www.roycefunds.com.

Royce Focus Trust
John D. Diederich, 800-348-1414

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