2040 Bonds? There are lots of uncertainties over 30 years in the technology space. The good thing about them is that if you don’t intend to hold them to maturity, they are liquid and you can sell them into the market. For the long end of the curve, he prefers companies that could be protected so he can make sure he gets his coupons and capital back.
Convertible bonds? Doesn’t own them in his portfolio but in a high yield portfolio there is a place for them. It is always to how much yield you are getting, not relative to being funded on a senior basis versus the value of your equity. Not liquid at all.
Why do brokers change the subject from absolute yield to “yield spread” over Treasuries? A bond will change in price with the “all in” yield. “All in” yield is comprised of “risk free” yield (government bond) and “credit premium” (the spread). If yields remain the same but government yields come down 1% and credit spread widen 1%, price will remain the same.
Feb 2016 bonds. Safe? Trading in the low $70’s in the market so you’ve already lost a lot of money. Fundamentals of the business are not going well. Looking at the different aspects, they won’t run out of cash for the next few years. You might as well keep them.
US High Yield Bond Index Fund. Performing poorly because of the credit risks in the uncertainties of the market. Default rates haven’t moved up yet but the market is pricing higher default rates down the road.
Ford Credit Canada 2015. Hold or Sell? Ford itself is doing the right thing to get back to investment grade. They will probably come back pretty soon. Still attractive from a safety standpoint. The only problem is if the economy is going into a double dip, they will under perform. He's buying through the US now because of the strong Cdn$.
4.1% due Nov 3/15. With what is happening in the market and that financials have under preformed a lot, this one is trading from the spread and almost back to where it was during the crisis.
3.18% due Nov 2/15. Financials under performing. (Subordinated, not the seniors.) Cdn banks have very strong footing. They have the option to roll over for another 5 years.
6.4% due Nov 23/39. Largest P & C company in Canada. Very fragmented industry. Very strong underwriters. Recent acquisition makes the bond safe and attractive.
Markets - He has a feeling that the US markets want to rise. Whenever there is some European statistic, it knocks the US down. Feels the Europeans are on their way to trying to sort this out. Heard that the US had junk and fraudulent mortgages. In Europe, you are dealing with real assets.
Enhanced Income Equity ETF. Likes this one. Similar to BMO’s Covered Call Cdn Banks ETF (ZWB-T) and is primarily based on the financials. Always keep in mind that the quoted yield you see on any of these covered call products are very much dependent on the underlying security.