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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: 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?
Read Answer Asked by Michael on February 26, 2021
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
Read Answer Asked by Michael on February 08, 2021
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.)
Read Answer Asked by Paul on January 20, 2021
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.
Read Answer Asked by wayne on January 15, 2021
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
Read Answer Asked by JEFF on January 12, 2021
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
Read Answer Asked by Edward on December 15, 2020
Q: Peter and Team:
Further to my previous question on specific preferreds. Under what circumstances might the price rise from 13.50 to let's say 20.00. When the supply of money tightens, and it will, companies in any specific sector will just issue new shares with a better format and that will further depress the old issues. They are under no obligation to increase the +plus amount or to redeem the shares.
perhaps they might decrease it. I am referring here to rate reset shares. They already have their $ 25.00. Just like when the banks came out with minimum resets. If a holder wants out they must sell on the market and move on. Then there is also equity risk when the market falls. Could be a big price to pay for a little extra interest. What about the people who paid $ 25.00 and they are now $ 12.00 or lower. It appears that is why you don't follow them very closely.
It seems to be a deck loaded in favour of the issuer. Please refute. Thanks for your help.
Ben.
Read Answer Asked by BEN on December 15, 2020
Q: Hello Peter & team,

Listened to Money Talks this morn. They discussed preferred shares and the higher dividends they can provide while protecting capital. Have to be honest in saying I am not well versed with this investment vehicle and would like to be more educated as a viable option for an income investor. I understand there are 3 types of structures for Preferred Shares - Perpetual Preferred Shares, the slightly more risky Rate Reset Preferred Shares, and the Floating Rate Preferred Share with coupons that renew every quarter. With Bond rates so low and the inevitable inflation we should expect in coming years my question is...

Am I right in thinking the Floating Rate Preferred Shares should be the most attractive over the coming years for income related investors based on rates eventually increasing? Does the Dividend tax credit still apply to the Floating? And which Preferred Shares would you recommend for an investor seeking income and $200,000 to invest?

Thanks for all you do

gm
Read Answer Asked by Gord on December 14, 2020
Q: Peter and Team:
I realize that preferred shares are not high on your agenda, however,
I would appreciate whatever you could offer as an explanation. The CWB pr.d trades near or above the issue price while the others trade
at a steep discount. I realize it is a minimum rate reset, but there
must be other factors which influence such a disparity in price. Thanks,
Ben.
Read Answer Asked by BEN on December 14, 2020
Q: Years ago I thought it would be good to add some preferreds to my RSP so I bought HPR . It hasn't done well but has a dividend of 5%. I'm thinking of switching to AD.UN but it's already had a good run. but has a high dividend. What do you think.
Read Answer Asked by John on December 10, 2020
Q: You continue to hold XHY and CPD in the income portfolio. My understanding when purchasing these was that they would perform well in a low interest rate environment. That has not been the case. I am about breakeven on them over the past 3 years with dividends included. What is the investment thesis for holding them now that interest rates are already so low. Is it time to move on?
Read Answer Asked by justin on December 09, 2020