Investment Q&A

Q: How do you like Preferred's these days? I've recently replaced some of my bond ETF's with ZPR. I understand they carry equity/credit risk but do you see pref's as offering better protection against rising rates? Thanks.

Q: There are many rate reset preferred shares with conversion privileges. I hold RCG.PR.B which just reset at a yield of 3.7% (on $25 face value), which is 2.89% plus the 5 year Canada government bond yield on March 1. This gives a quarterly dividend of $0.231313 per share. The rate will not reset again until March 1 2026. RCG.PR.C reset at 3.00% per annum or $0.186799 per share for the quarter, being equal to the sum of the three-month Government of Canada Treasury Bill yield determined as of March 1, plus 2.89%. The rate on the C shares will reset per the formula every quarter. The option window to convert from one version of the security to the other will close on March 16.

Given your outlook for interest rates over the next five years, which version of this security would you prefer to hold for the next five years?

Q: I am finally up on these and would like to know if they are a good hold for appreciation and yield? Thanks James

Q: Hello Team Portfolio question for conservative income investor. In a longer term horizon can an argument be made for increasing the proportion of rate reset preferreds while decreasing bond holdings by a similar amount. Like many investors I have previously been burned by preferreds so I confess I am a bit gun-shy and with bond funds I ilke the income (meager) but fear the long term capital loss in a future rising interest rate environment. This strategy seems to make some sense. Thank you for your opinion. gary

Q: Preferred shares fit into the income part of a portfolio and also can be a fixed income substitute if one can tolerate the extra volatility (especially now given bond yields and potential for rising interest rates). In the past 5i has suggested CPD over DIVS for etf exposure citing the fee differential. Two questions (1) what is your medium term outlook for Canadian preferred shares and (2) given complexity of different preferred share issues and an inefficient market, is there an advantage to the active approach? (Please explain why or why not - thanks).

Q: I hold 500 shares of a preferred stock in a RRIF but am confused about the best course of action. The MANULIFE FIN 4.2%-1 S3 PF were purchased at average cost of $24.10 but have not traded above $20 since January 2015, and have been under $15 since December 2018, but recently are trending up. Every 5 years (coming in June 2021) MFC could redeem at $25 or provide option to convert to another series. With income of about $272 annually on shares now worth only about $7,775 that works out to a return of about 3.5%. So if I sold at current prices I'd need to replace with something with same yield. Your thoughts?

Q: Hi 5i,

Do you know who the inside sellers were with the recent DND financing?

Can you provide information on the new debenture? Interest rate and conversion price would be nice.

Thanks
John

Q: Do you know the reason mfc.pr.l is up over 2 points today,very strange for a pfd share.Thanks Phil.?

Q: Hello. Could you please provide a brief explanation of convertible bonds. Is icvt or fcvt a fund that should be in a portfolio? What is the risk-reward on owning convertibles?
Thanks, Michael

Q: I was reading that CF may be redeeming these convertible debentures starting April 1, 2021. Is that true? Could you provide the details please? What would you recommend that I do as I own this convertible debenture? Thank you.

Q: NPI.PR.A has a decent yield and the price is down from its highs, would this be a decent and safe longer term hold for a retiree. Thank You.

Q: How does no generally get information on convertible debentures? For Chemtrade Logistics I looked at their website but when you click on the link you go to another website ,but the detailed information (Not sure if I should can it the prospecus?!) is still not listed. Do I have to contact Investor Relations of Chemtrade and ask for the prospectus? Is there a general rule of thumb on when interest on a debenture is paid or does it depend on each individual issue? I am interested in looking for some higher yielding debit instruments, is that a good option? If not, where should one look to get ideas? (Please discount as many questions frommy allotment that you think is warranted.)

Q: Regarding the preferred share offer. The option of 0.66 of BPYY is based on a par value of US$25 x 0.66 =$16.50. BPYY is currently trading at US$24.59 and has a 6.61%dividend. This effectively values BPY at US$16.23. So you have the choice of getting $16.23 for something worth $16.87 (all US) Please tell me if this calculation is correct.

Q: Hi
Not overly familiar with preferred shares but could explain the upside and downside of exchanging my BPY.UN shares for the preferred shares. You can trade one BPY unit for 0.66 of BPY Class A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units.
It looks like there are 3 kinds of Class A prefs.
1. BPYPP 6.5%
2. BPYPU 6.375%
3. BPYPN 5.75%

So with your explanation could you tell me which of the 3 is in the offer. Given the trade is only .66 shares would the actual real return be .66 of the stated return on the prefs

Thanks
Jeff

Q: We have a number of bpo preferred stocks. The current events of bpy buy out is positive. Would the bpo preferred come to par in rating with the Bam preferred if the deal is approved? Or is any provisions for a payout of the preferred debt in case of takeover?
Thank you and Happy new year.

Q: with regards to the proposed takeover of BPY by BAM does this increase the credit quality of this preferred...ie..is it a direct obligation of BAM once completed....and does it increase the likelihood of redemption at par later this year...many thanks...Cheers

Q: Are you aware of any etf,s that are composed of just rate-reset preferred shares?

Q: Could I get your thoughts re timing. Would you recommend to wait for a pull back ?

Thx.

Q: Do you know how preferred shares performed at the time of high inflation in the 1980's? If we see high inflation in the years ahead, can you estimate the impact it might have on etfs like CPD?

Q: Good morning,
I am a retired investor with a 50/50 asset mix and an equity focus on solid dividend payers with some growth prospects. As a bond matures in my RRIF, reinvestment opportunities in fixed income are unattractive. With projections saying low rates will continue for some time, I'm wondering if it would be a good time to buy a rate reset preferred stock ETF for income, and as a hedge against future rate increases. I would appreciate your thoughts, and if you support it, which ETF would you suggest?
Thank you.
Edward