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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Please provide your opinion on purchasing preferred ETF's at the present time, for a one year hold, and which of the following would you prefer and why?.... CPD (Canadian Preferreds), XPF (North American Preferreds), HPR (Actively Managed Preferreds), ZPR (Laddered Preferreds). These funds would be held in a non-registered, fully taxable account. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Paul W on April 06, 2016
Q: What's up with the naming convention for preferred shares? For example, Artis REIT Series C Preferred Shares trade as AX.PR.U. I've noticed this with other prefs and find them hard to locate.
Read Answer Asked by Kirk on April 06, 2016
Q: RONA preferred shares didn't get the vote they needed for conversion and now today I got another offer for cash in either Cdn or US$ but need to let the broker know by April 8, 2016. Do you think Lowe will offer more than $20.00 and should reject this offer or accept it?
Dolores
Read Answer Asked on April 06, 2016
Q: Please comment on the following:

While it is exposed to oil in the west, Artis will still be able to cover dividends and, even if they cut common dividends would continue paying preferreds.

Second, reset preferred shares in general have been knocked down as rate increases failed to occur and exposure to oil in the west has pushed some down even further.

Third, Artis will likely recall AX.PR.A in September of 2017 when it comes up for reset, especially if rates are increasing at that point. I understand that Riocan recently recalled a reset. Currently trading around $17, AX.PR.A would be recalled at $25 if that happened. Worst case, assuming falling oil doesn't hurt Artis further and/or they don't recall AX.PR.A is that you continue to collect a pretty decent dividend when it is reset.

This is just speculation on my part. Please comment.

Read Answer Asked by Larry on April 01, 2016
Q: Peter; Ok thanks - I guess this part was confusing to me - if they don't redeem them, then it's the 90 day TB?
Should CWB choose not to exercise its right to redeem the Series 7 Preferred Shares, holders of these shares will have the right to convert their shares into an equal number of non-cumulative floating rate First Preferred Shares Series 8 (Non-Viability Contingent Capital (NVCC)) (the "Series 8 Preferred Shares"), subject to certain conditions, on July 31, 2021, and on July 31 every five years thereafter. Holders of the Series 8 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive quarterly floating dividends, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of CWB, equal to the 90-day Government of Canada Treasury Bill rate plus 547 basis points.
Read Answer Asked by Rodney on April 01, 2016
Q: Peter; I was interested in buying this Pfd. after reading the question and answer today but when I checked the offering info it says the reset is based on the 90 day Tbills, not the five year Canada's. Is that right? Thanks.Rod
Read Answer Asked by Rodney on April 01, 2016
Q: Just issued NVCC Fixed reset 6.25% GC5+547bps

Can you comment on this issue. Particularly the viability component and the Credit quality o the Bank

Ernie
Read Answer Asked by Ernie on April 01, 2016
Q: Morning Peter & team,
Looking at I5 Income on CPD now down a lot still with 5% yield, it seems a fairly good holding for my TSFA.
Your idea is very appreciated.
Tak
Read Answer Asked by Tak on March 28, 2016
Q: Recently read an article in Globeinvestor entitled "It's time to check out the dazzling yields of Canada's big bank preferred shares" a recent offering from them pays a dividend of 5.5% and after 5 years is reset to 4.8% over the 5 year Canadian bond rate. My question is what would the symbol be or how could I purchase this,I trade online and that's the vehicle I would like to purchase them through,appreciate your answer ..thanks
Read Answer Asked by Greg on March 24, 2016
Q: Wandering if you could help me out,these preferred shares are advertised as 5.5% dividend,but when I go to my BMO Investorline account or Globeinvestor it shows 0% for dividend and no ex date.any help on how often the dividend is paid and why it shows zero.This is a new offering in early March has had respectable volume and done well appreciate your information thanks
Read Answer Asked by Greg on March 24, 2016
Q: Interesting article in the Globe this morning, suggesting to consider the newly issued preferreds with 5.5% + yield, some with 4-4.8% reset rate. Also, that buying individual preferred is a better choice than the ZPR. Can you suggest some of your choices please.
J.A.P. Burlington
Read Answer Asked by Joseph on March 24, 2016
Q: Peter; Would this ETF be buying the " new" bank issued preferreds.

Plus re the " egg on your face" comment I would ask David to watch BNN Market Call guests explain their Past Picks , some down 25-75 %. If every stock 5i picked went up they would be under investigation !
Keep up the good work . Publish if you wish.
Rod
Read Answer Asked by Rodney on March 23, 2016
Q: RBC and a number of the other banks have recently issued preferred shares(series BM ?) where the dividend rate will reset every five years at a rate equal to 4.80 per cent over the 5-year Government of Canada bond yield. Do you think these are a good buy for income and safety? If yes are they available now and what is the symbol of the Royal Bank version ? Thanks Ken
Read Answer Asked by Ken on March 23, 2016
Q: I had sent you a question last week about accepting the offer to convert to the new series preferred shares and wonder if I misunderstood you now. I did call the discount broker and told them that I would tender my preferred shares to the new series as the deadline was March 15 and then on Friday I received another notice that I could get $20.00 per shares in Cdn funds or US funds equivalent to $20.00 CDN. I called back the discount broker and told them that I wanted to take the US funds but was told that I could not because I tendered to the new series. Would this be correct? Should have I not received both options at the same time? I am wondering if you meant that I should tender to the offer price and not to the new preferred share? Normally when I get a take over I sell into the market to avoid all the confusion that can happened. I know that I can still sell into the market and most likely will but just wanted you answer on this situation.Should I call the trust company handling this transaction to see what their answer is?

Thanks
Dolores

Read Answer Asked on March 23, 2016
Q: Hi recently CPD has dropped so much, so my first concern is why. Secondly, since it is a preferred shares ETF, I thought it is very low-risk (dividends paid before common shares)and I suggest my parents to use their line of credit (interest rate lower than 3% annually) to buy it for retirement (use the monthly distribution to pay off monthly payment). Simply put, borrow money to invest in CPD. Let me know your views on my thinking and please be specific. Thank you very very much !!! Tony
Read Answer Asked by Tao on March 22, 2016
Q: Our kids are now going to post-secondary school, so the RESP will be drained at a rate of 25% annually. With these fixed needs, what is an appropriate stable holding? The portfolio is 75% preferreds that have held their par value (GWO.pr.p IGM.pr.b POW.pr.c) but I am concerned they may not hold their ground for the next 4 years. The remainder is in a Cdn Balanced fund.
Read Answer Asked by Dave on March 21, 2016
Q: I own some of each of these Pfd's...one has the symbol BM in it's name, the other BK...would you be kind enough to make the distinction for me , please and thank you...also if you would comment on their credit quality ...and whether the reset rates in 5 yrs time is the minimum rate or whether the rate is reduced if we have negative interest rates...many thanks ...cheers
Read Answer Asked by Cam on March 17, 2016