PrefBlog

It will be recalled that ENB.PR.P will reset at 4.379% effective March 1, 2019.

ENB.PR.P is a FixedReset, 4.00%+250, that commenced trading 2012-9-14 after being announced 2012-9-4. Notice of the reset to 4.379% was published 2019-1-30. It is tracked by HIMIPref™ but is relegated to the Scraps FixedReset Discount index on credit concerns.

The most logical way to analyze the question of whether or not to convert is through the theory of Preferred Pairs, for which a calculator is available. Briefly, a Strong Pair is defined as a pair of securities that can be interconverted in the future (e.g., ENB.PR.P and the FloatingReset that will exist if enough holders convert). Since they will be interconvertible on this future date, it may be assumed that they will be priced identically on this date (if they aren’t then holders will simply convert en masse to the higher-priced issue). And since they will be priced identically on a given date in the future, any current difference in price must be offset by expectations of an equal and opposite value of dividends to be received in the interim. And since the dividend rate on one element of the pair is both fixed and known, the implied average rate of the other, floating rate, instrument can be determined. Finally, we say, we may compare these average rates and take a view regarding the actual future course of that rate relative to the implied rate, which will provide us with guidance on which element of the pair is likely to outperform the other until the next interconversion date, at which time the process will be repeated.

We can show the break-even rates for each FixedReset / FloatingReset Strong Pair graphically by plotting the implied average 3-month bill rate against the next Exchange Date (which is the date to which the average will be calculated).

Click for Big

The market appears to have lost its fleeting interest in floating rate product; the implied rates until the next interconversion are above the current 3-month bill rate as the averages for investment-grade and junk issues are at +1.10% and +1.44%, respectively. Whatever might be the result of the next few Bank of Canada overnight rate decisions, I suggest that it is unlikely that the average rate over the next five years will be lower than current – but if you disagree, of course, you may interpret the data any way you like.

Since credit quality of each element of the pair is equal to the other element, it should not make any difference whether the pair examined is investment-grade or junk, although we might expect greater variation of implied rates between junk issues on grounds of lower liquidity, and this is just what we see.

If we plug in the current bid price of the ENB.PR.P FixedReset, we may construct the following table showing consistent prices for its soon-may-be-issued FloatingReset counterpart given a variety of Implied Breakeven yields consistent with issues currently trading:

Based on current market conditions, I suggest that the FloatingResets that will result from conversion are likely to be cheap and trading below the price of their FixedReset counterparts, ENB.PR.P. Therefore I recommend that holders of ENB.PR.P continue to hold the issue and not to convert. I will note that once the FloatingResets commence trading (if, in fact, they do) it may be a good trade to swap the FixedReset for the FloatingReset in the market once both elements of each pair are trading and you can – presumably, according to this analysis – do it with a reasonably good take-out in price, rather than doing it through the company on a 1:1 basis. But that, of course, will depend on the prices at that time and your forecast for the path of policy rates over the next five years. There are no guarantees – my recommendation is based on the assumption that current market conditions with respect to the pairs will continue until the FloatingResets commence trading and that the relative pricing of the two new pairs will reflect these conditions.

Those who wish to convert anyway are advised that the deadline for notifying the company of such a desire is 5:00 p.m. (EST) on February 14, 2019. Brokers and other intermediaries generally set their internal deadlines a day or two in advance of this date, so if you wish to convert there’s no time to waste! Note that brokers will, in general, try to execute the instruction on a ‘best efforts’ basis if received between the two deadlines, provided that the procrastinating shareholder grovels entertainingly enough.

It will be recalled that PPL.PR.C will reset at 4.478% effective March 1, 2019.

PPL.PR.C was issued as a FixedReset, 4.70%+260, that commenced trading 2013-10-2 after being announced 2013-9-23. Notice of the reset to 4.478% was given 2019-1-30. It is tracked by HIMIPref™ but is relegated to the Scraps – FixedReset (Discount) subindex on credit concerns.

The most logical way to analyze the question of whether or not to convert is through the theory of Preferred Pairs, for which a calculator is available. Briefly, a Strong Pair is defined as a pair of securities that can be interconverted in the future (e.g., PPL.PR.C and the FloatingReset that will exist if enough holders convert). Since they will be interconvertible on this future date, it may be assumed that they will be priced identically on this date (if they aren’t then holders will simply convert en masse to the higher-priced issue). And since they will be priced identically on a given date in the future, any current difference in price must be offset by expectations of an equal and opposite value of dividends to be received in the interim. And since the dividend rate on one element of the pair is both fixed and known, the implied average rate of the other, floating rate, instrument can be determined. Finally, we say, we may compare these average rates and take a view regarding the actual future course of that rate relative to the implied rate, which will provide us with guidance on which element of the pair is likely to outperform the other until the next interconversion date, at which time the process will be repeated.

We can show the break-even rates for each FixedReset / FloatingReset Strong Pair graphically by plotting the implied average 3-month bill rate against the next Exchange Date (which is the date to which the average will be calculated).

Click for Big

The market appears to have lost its fleeting interest in floating rate product; the implied rates until the next interconversion are above the current 3-month bill rate as the averages for investment-grade and junk issues are at +1.10% and +1.44%, respectively. Whatever might be the result of the next few Bank of Canada overnight rate decisions, I suggest that it is unlikely that the average rate over the next five years will be lower than current – but if you disagree, of course, you may interpret the data any way you like.

Since credit quality of each element of the pair is equal to the other element, it should not make any difference whether the pair examined is investment-grade or junk, although we might expect greater variation of implied rates between junk issues on grounds of lower liquidity, and this is just what we see.

If we plug in the current bid price of the PPL.PR.C FixedReset, we may construct the following table showing consistent prices for its soon-may-be-issued FloatingReset counterpart given a variety of Implied Breakeven yields consistent with issues currently trading:

Based on current market conditions, I suggest that the FloatingResets that will result from conversion are likely to be cheap and trading below the price of their FixedReset counterparts, PPL.PR.C. Therefore I recommend that holders of PPL.PR.C continue to hold the issue and not to convert. I will note that once the FloatingResets commence trading (if, in fact, they do) it may be a good trade to swap the FixedReset for the FloatingReset in the market once both elements of each pair are trading and you can – presumably, according to this analysis – do it with a reasonably good take-out in price, rather than doing it through the company on a 1:1 basis. But that, of course, will depend on the prices at that time and your forecast for the path of policy rates over the next five years. There are no guarantees – my recommendation is based on the assumption that current market conditions with respect to the pairs will continue until the FloatingResets commence trading and that the relative pricing of the two new pairs will reflect these conditions.

Those who wish to convert anyway are advised that the deadline for notifying the company of such a desire is 3:00 p.m. (MST) / 5:00 p.m. (EST) on February 14, 2019. Brokers and other intermediaries generally set their internal deadlines a day or two in advance of this date, so if you wish to convert there’s no time to waste! Note that brokers will, in general, try to execute the instruction on a ‘best efforts’ basis if received between the two deadlines, provided that the procrastinating shareholder grovels entertainingly enough.

Scotia Managed Companies has announced:

NewGrowth Corp. (the “Company”), announced today that all of its issued and outstanding Class A Capital Shares (“Capital Shares”) and Class B Preferred Shares, Series 3 (“Preferred Shares”) will be redeemed by the Company in accordance with their terms on June 26, 2019 and that the Company will wind up and terminate as soon as practicable after such date.

The redemption price for each Preferred Share will be an amount equal to the Series 3 Preferred Share Redemption Price (as defined in the provisions attaching to the Preferred Shares). The Series 3 Preferred Share Redemption Price will equal the lesser of (i) $32.07; and (ii) Unit Value (as defined in the provisions attaching to the Preferred Shares). The redemption price (the “Capital Share Redemption Price”) for every Capital Share redeemed will be an amount equal to the amount, if any, by which the Unit Value exceeds $32.07.

Holders of Capital Shares who wish to receive a redemption payment equal to the Capital Share Redemption Price in portfolio shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share) rather than cash must give notice to this effect to the Company and tender $32.07 for every Capital Share redeemed to the Company no later than May 29, 2019. Holders of Capital Shares who do not give the required 20 business days’ notice will be deemed to have chosen to be paid in cash.

The payment of the amount due to holders of the redeemed Capital Shares and Preferred Shares will be made by the Company on June 26, 2019.

The Capital Shares and Preferred Shares will be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange on or about June 26, 2019.
NewGrowth Corp. is a mutual fund corporation whose investment portfolio consists of publicly-listed securities of selected Canadian chartered banks, telecommunication, oil and gas, pipeline and utility issuers. The Capital Shares and Preferred Shares of NewGrowth Corp. are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols NEW.A and NEW.PR.D respectively.

NEW.PR.D is a SplitShare, 4.15%, maturing 2019-6-26, that commenced trading 2014-6-26. It has been tracked by HIMIPref™ but relegated to the Scraps subindex on volume concerns.

Brookfield Infrastructure has announced:

the completion of its previously announced issuance of $100,000,000 of Senior Preferred Shares, Series 1 (“Series 1 Shares”). The offering was underwritten by a syndicate of underwriters led by TD Securities Inc., BMO Capital Markets, CIBC Capital Markets, RBC Capital Markets and Scotiabank.

The Series 1 Shares were issued by BIP Investment Corporation (“BIPIC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookfield Infrastructure, and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Brookfield Infrastructure and certain of its key holding subsidiaries. BIPIC issued 4,000,000 Series 1 Shares at a price of $25.00 per share, for total gross proceeds of $100,000,000. Holders of the Series 1 Shares will be entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly fixed dividend at a rate of 5.85% annually for the initial period ending March 31, 2024. Thereafter, the dividend rate will be reset every five years at a rate equal to the greater of: (i) the 5-year Government of Canada bond yield plus 3.96%, and (ii) 5.85%. The Series 1 Shares will commence trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange this morning under the ticker BIK.PR.A.

The net proceeds of the issue of the Series 1 Shares will be used to fund new investments and/or for general working capital purposes.

BIK.PR.A is a FixedReset, 5.85%+396M585, announced 2019-1-29. It will be tracked by HIMIPref™ and has been assigned to the FixedReset (Premium) sub-index.

The issue traded 327,789 shares today in a range of 24.95-15 before closing at 25.06-09. Vital statistics are: