Q: Hi Peter and 5i,
Thank you for all the valuable advice and insight over the years. It is much appreciated.
I’ve been slowly buying a few convertible debentures as a small part of my fixed income portfolio. Mainly interested in the enhanced coupon rate the convertible debentures pay with the potential of the conversion into common shares.
I just have a few questions to ensure that I am understanding all the terms associated with the convertible debentures. Most of the issues seem to have relatively all the same terms regarding Conversion, Maturity Date Structure and Share Payment Option on Redemption or Maturity.
I’ll use the November 16th issue from EIF as an example.
Maturity Date – January 15, 2029
Coupon Rate – 5.25%
Conversion - The Debentures will be convertible at the holder’s option into fully-paid common shares of the Company (“Shares”) at any time prior to the earlier of 5:00pm (ET) on January 15, 2029 and the business day immediately preceding the date fixed for redemption at a conversion price of $60.00 per Share (the “Conversion Price”), representing a 30% premium, being a ratio of 16.6667 Shares per $1,000 principal amount of Debentures.
Redemption Scenarios:
1. The debentures will not be redeemable by the Co. at any time on or before January 12, 2025.
2. After January 15, 2025 and prior to January 15, 2027, the debentures will be redeemable by the company on not more than 60 days and not less then 30 days prior notice at a price payable equal to $1,000 per debenture plus accrued and unpaid interest, provided that the Current Market Price (CMP is defined as the volume weighted average trading price of the shares on the TSX for the 20 consecutive trading days ending 5 trading days prior to the applicable date) of the shares on the date on which the notice of redemption is given exceeds 125% of the Conversion price.
3. On or after January 15, 2027, and prior to the Maturity date, the debentures will be redeemable by the company on not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days prior notice at par value plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Share Payment Option on Redemption or Maturity – Payment will be satisfied by delivering for each $1,000 due, that number of freely tradeable shares obtained by dividing $1,000 by 95% of the Current Market Price (CMP)
Questions:
1. Do you see any downsides to have a % of fixed income portion of a portfolio in convertible debentures?
2. Redemption Scenario #2. This seems like the critical 2 years.
a. Am I understanding it correctly in that the Company can only redeem during these two years if the price of the common stock is above $75 (Conversion Price $60 x 1.25)?
b. If the company gives a Notice of Redemption during this period, you better take it (provided my understanding of a. was correct). It seems they would really want to pay in shares versus cash.
c. Do the discount brokerages (in this case iTRADE) normally notify you of a Notice of Redemption?
3. Redemption Scenario #3. If you get a Notice of Redemption in the last two years, does the holder have the option to convert into common shares (say the shares were trading at $80) before the redemption date.
4. Is there a general rule as to when you should convert?
5. Is it common for companies to use the Share Payment Option on redemption or maturity?
6. Have I missed anything that you would suggest to watch for?
Thank you so much for helping me understand my small adventure into convertible debentures.
Thank you for all the valuable advice and insight over the years. It is much appreciated.
I’ve been slowly buying a few convertible debentures as a small part of my fixed income portfolio. Mainly interested in the enhanced coupon rate the convertible debentures pay with the potential of the conversion into common shares.
I just have a few questions to ensure that I am understanding all the terms associated with the convertible debentures. Most of the issues seem to have relatively all the same terms regarding Conversion, Maturity Date Structure and Share Payment Option on Redemption or Maturity.
I’ll use the November 16th issue from EIF as an example.
Maturity Date – January 15, 2029
Coupon Rate – 5.25%
Conversion - The Debentures will be convertible at the holder’s option into fully-paid common shares of the Company (“Shares”) at any time prior to the earlier of 5:00pm (ET) on January 15, 2029 and the business day immediately preceding the date fixed for redemption at a conversion price of $60.00 per Share (the “Conversion Price”), representing a 30% premium, being a ratio of 16.6667 Shares per $1,000 principal amount of Debentures.
Redemption Scenarios:
1. The debentures will not be redeemable by the Co. at any time on or before January 12, 2025.
2. After January 15, 2025 and prior to January 15, 2027, the debentures will be redeemable by the company on not more than 60 days and not less then 30 days prior notice at a price payable equal to $1,000 per debenture plus accrued and unpaid interest, provided that the Current Market Price (CMP is defined as the volume weighted average trading price of the shares on the TSX for the 20 consecutive trading days ending 5 trading days prior to the applicable date) of the shares on the date on which the notice of redemption is given exceeds 125% of the Conversion price.
3. On or after January 15, 2027, and prior to the Maturity date, the debentures will be redeemable by the company on not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days prior notice at par value plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Share Payment Option on Redemption or Maturity – Payment will be satisfied by delivering for each $1,000 due, that number of freely tradeable shares obtained by dividing $1,000 by 95% of the Current Market Price (CMP)
Questions:
1. Do you see any downsides to have a % of fixed income portion of a portfolio in convertible debentures?
2. Redemption Scenario #2. This seems like the critical 2 years.
a. Am I understanding it correctly in that the Company can only redeem during these two years if the price of the common stock is above $75 (Conversion Price $60 x 1.25)?
b. If the company gives a Notice of Redemption during this period, you better take it (provided my understanding of a. was correct). It seems they would really want to pay in shares versus cash.
c. Do the discount brokerages (in this case iTRADE) normally notify you of a Notice of Redemption?
3. Redemption Scenario #3. If you get a Notice of Redemption in the last two years, does the holder have the option to convert into common shares (say the shares were trading at $80) before the redemption date.
4. Is there a general rule as to when you should convert?
5. Is it common for companies to use the Share Payment Option on redemption or maturity?
6. Have I missed anything that you would suggest to watch for?
Thank you so much for helping me understand my small adventure into convertible debentures.
