Investment Q&A

Q: I have been reluctant to buy preferred shares due to the anticipated rise in interest rates. However, rate reset preferreds may provide the interest rate protection I desire plus a reasonable return. Are there any rate resets on your radar?

Q: Good day Peter,
Some advice, please. I am 70 years old with an investment portfolio of 3 million, consisting of $300,000. In 6% bonds, $225,000 in annuities, a $40,000. Indexed pension and a diversified portfolio of stocks. In my portfolio I have $90,000. In the Prefs listed below. My question is, do I continue to hold them with the threat of rising interest rates or move to AD, EMA, BGI.un,or any other stock you might suggest. My objective is to preserve capital, obtain some growth, and get a good dividend income stream.
BAM.PR.R -5.15%,
BPO.PR.R- 5.97,
MFC.PR.C - 4.92,
PWF.PR.P- 4.70,
PIC.PR.A - 5.49.
Thank you, Peter.
Don

Q: I currently hold the 5.75% convertible debentures from Healthlease Properties and I am confused as to how today’s takeover announcement affects the debentures. My understanding is that holders can convert the debentures into shares at $14.00 (which is almost in-line with the takeover price) or they may be purchased back by Health Care at 101%. Both options offer only a very tiny premium yet the debentures are trading higher on the news (right now at $105). I am inclined to sell now for the current premium unless there is something I don’t understand. Does selling now to take advantage of the uptick on this news make sense?

Q: Would a portfolio of high quality Canadian preferred shares be suitable for a senior? The senior is 80, does not need the income, does not expect to need the funds within 5 years, but is looking for higher yield (vs GICs), with limited downside risk (in case any funds are required). Possible companies: Loblaw, Fortis, TransCanada, etc.

One concern is interest rates: if rates increase (e.g. over 5-10 years), is there significant risk that the stock price will decrease (i.e. similar to a bond)?

Thank you.

Q: Concerning the short attack on EIF, it would appear that some of the comments by Veritas and repeated in the G&M article were misleading, if not bordering on dishonest. You mentioned the fact that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if an ordinary joe tried such a scam, they would likely be fined by the regulators. So how do these people get away with it? My investor question is; do you think the secured debentures, more specifically the EIF.DB.D debs, are an ok buy. They are "on sale".

Q: Re: BBD.PR.C Bombardier Preferred
Would you consider BBD.PR.C fairly safe as an Income holding. Dividend yield is approx 7.1%. If you're not okay with this one could you please provide some alternates?
Thank you.

Q: Good Morning
What is your view of the new Transalta floating rate pref. for a longer term income holding?
Thanks for your input.

Q: I bought Capital Power CPX.PR.A preferred shares. Should I have bought instead CPX Capital Power, not the preferred. They keep going up and they increased dividing to 7.9%. The preferred just keep going down. I thought buying the preferred would be safer but there is no gains with them, only losses. Thanks.

Q: Hello Team:
Being close to 70 and having all our portfolio in stocks, should I be considering moving a chunk of money into bonds? Some I am considering are Templeton Emerging Markets (TEI),Pimco Strategic Income (RCS) and Phillips Hager&North (PH&N). I have confidence long term in the market, but am somewhat uneasy of being caught in old age in large downturn. That said, I am willing to accept some risk for better return. I realize this is a big question, but any help you can provide me to structure some sort of plan would be most appreciated.
All the best
brian

Q: I have about 20% of my portfolio invested in rate-reset preferred shares, with an average reset rate of about 3% over the 5-year rate, and with maturities of 3 to 5 years. I would like to increase the percentage to 25%, as there are two more I would like to buy, and I am getting more conservative the higher the markets rise. Do you think putting 25% in rate-resets is too much? Thanks

Q: Is there an unhedged etf similar to xhy that you would recommend?Thanks.

Q: I hold 6.25% TD.PRK-T preferred shares which will mature on July 31. I have the option of converting them into Series L, non-cumulative, floating rate issue 4.33% + the average previous 90 days T-Bill rate. Can you please advise me if this is a good choice assuming that interest rates may begin to rise in the next 1,2,3 years. Under what market circumstances would the shares drop below the $25.00 PAR value, and would this be a major concern given that inflation is now hovering above 2% and that interest rates will remain at their current levels this year and potentially be on the rise starting sometime in 2015. For a preferred share, can you suggest a better alternative that would provide similar returns but offer a lower risk.

Also is it too speculative to buy ECI now that a takeover offer has been made and even assuming that the takeover does not take place.

Thank you for your advise,

Joseph

Q: Hi Team,

In a question/answer from Claire today, you say bonds are riskier now due to possible increases in interest rates.

Which do you consider riskier overall, bonds facing rate increase pressure, or stocks, achieving historic highs and possibly lower future returns or a possible correction?

Thank you.

Michael

Q: In regards to the interest rate sensitivity issue and the way ahead for the "Fed",could advise if the preferred shares Great West GWO.PR.R and Fortis FTS.PR.J have much upside in the next twelve months? I own both just above the $25.00 issue price. Thank you.

Q: I am looking at some short convertibles for RRSP for yield only. I realize that these two names are a tad junky but I am considering them for a short hold based on duration--
AXL.db 7.5%--31- Jan 2016 (85.00 last bid)
JE. db 6.00%--30-June 2017 (89.85)
Can these hold out til maturity?

Thanks.
Tony

Q: Given the present market environment do you view preferred shares as a safe place to invest new money seeking a modest return...if so, could you make a few recommendations...Bonds seem doomed with the threat of rising interest rates and common shares too susceptible to a correction? Thanks.

Q: I would appreciate your advice concerning Superior Plus convertible debentures. I am holding series G (7.5% coupon maturing Oct 31, 2016) which have a $11.35 conversion price and can be called as of Oct 31, 2014 if 125% above the conversion price. The debentures are currently trading at $128. Given that the share price is already just above the 125% call condition, and assuming it remains there, it is safe to expect that come this October they will be called by the company? When and if this is announced would the debenture price instantly drop? I am wondering if it makes sense to sell now with the small premium before they get called by the company?
Thanks.
Steven

Q: This is a comment for Warren, looking for a list of preferred shares.
James Hymas has one here: http://www.prefinfo.com/

Have a speedy recovery, Peter and thank to the whole team.
Marilyn

Q: Good Morning Team
I am interested in finding a list of Rate reset preferred shares(including reset date and terms). If this is not available do you have a few recommendations?
Thanks and stay safe.

Q: Hi Team
Could you comment on the interest rate sensitivity of VSN.PR.A
on the share price of this issue, i purchases it around 23.50 awhile ago.Would this issue be considered to be as volatile as the Perpetual Preferred shares that some company's issue, and finally would you recommend it.
Thanks Gordon