Preferreds have delivered double-digit returns in six out of seven years following a negative total return, according to Cohen & Steers.
The following article was published by Institutional Investor and is made available here with permission.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
William Scapell, CFA, Executive Vice President, is Head of Fixed Income and Preferred Securities and a senior portfolio manager for the firm’s preferred securities portfolios.
FURTHER READING
4 Reasons to own preferred securities today
We believe an exceptional buying opportunity for preferred securities may exist today, for several reasons: 1. Current discounts to par value represent uncommon value 2. High-quality preferreds offer some of the highest yields in fixed income 3. Performance historically has been strong following market corrections 4. An end of Fed rate hikes is a possible catalyst for price appreciation
Preferred securities: Resetting for a new cycle
Recent bank turbulence and the end of the Fed’s rate-hiking cycle create what we believe may be an exceptional buying opportunity for preferreds.
Three tax-smart income alternatives
Strategies with inherent tax efficiencies may help investors diversify sources of income and potentially keep more of what they earn.
Please see important disclosures and risks below.
Data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results.
There is no guarantee that any market forecast set forth in this article will be realized. There is no guarantee that any historical trend referenced herein will be repeated in the future, and there is no way to predict precisely when such a trend will begin. The mention of specific securities is not a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any particular security and should not be relied upon as investment advice.
This article is for informational purposes and reflects prevailing conditions and our judgment as of the date of this material, which are subject to change. This material should not be relied upon as investment advice, does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell a security or other investment and is not intended to predict or depict performance of any investment. This material is not being provided in a fiduciary capacity and is not intended to recommend any investment policy or investment strategy or take into account the specific objectives or circumstances of any investor. We consider the information in this article to be accurate, but we do not represent that it is complete or should be relied upon as the sole source of appropriateness for investment. Please consult with your investment, tax or legal professional regarding your individual circumstances prior to investing.
Risks of investing in preferred securities. There are special risks associated with investing in the Fund. All investments involve risks, including loss of capital, and there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met. In general, the risks of investing in preferred securities are similar to those of investing in bonds, including credit risk and interest-rate risk. As nearly all preferred securities have issuer call options, call risk and reinvestment risk are also important considerations. In addition, investors face equity-like risks, such as deferral or omission of distributions, subordination to bonds and other more senior debt, and higher corporate governance risks with limited voting rights. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest. The value of these securities, like other investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The Fund may invest in below-investment grade securities and unrated securities judged to be below investment-grade by the Advisor. Below-investment grade securities or equivalent unrated securities generally involve greater volatility of price and risk of loss of income and principal, and may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than higher-grade securities. The Funds' benchmarks do not contain below investment-grade securities.
Contingent capital securities (sometimes referred to as "CoCos") are debt or preferred securities with loss absorption characteristics built into the terms of the security, for example a mandatory conversion into common stock of the issuer under certain circumstances, such as the issuer's capital ratio falling below a certain level. Since the common stock of the issuer may not pay a dividend, investors in these instruments could experience a reduced income rate, potentially to zero, and conversion would deepen the subordination of the investor, hence worsening the investor's standing in a bankruptcy. Some CoCos provide for a reduction in the value or principal amount of the security under such circumstances. In addition, most CoCos are considered to be high yield or "junk" securities and are therefore subject to the risks of investing in below investment-grade securities.
Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (Cohen & Steers) is a U.S registered investment advisory firm that provides investment management services to corporate retirement, public and union retirement plans, endowments, foundations and mutual funds.
Cohen & Steers U.S. registered open-end funds are distributed by Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC and are only available to U.S. residents.
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For Recipients in the Middle East:
This document is for information purposes only. It does not constitute or form part of any marketing initiative, any offer to issue or sell, or any solicitation of any offer to subscribe or purchase, any products, strategies or other services nor shall it or the fact of its distribution form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract resulting therefrom. In the event that the recipient of this document wishes to receive further information with regard to any products, strategies other services, it shall specifically request the same in writing from us.