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DBRS Limited (Morningstar DBRS) has announced that it:

changed the trend to Negative from Stable and confirmed the Issuer Rating and Senior Unsecured Debentures rating of Artis Real Estate Investment Trust (Artis or the REIT) at BBB (low) and its Preferred Trust Units rating at Pfd-3 (low).

KEY CREDIT RATING CONSIDERATIONS
The Negative trend reflects the sustained deterioration of EBITDA interest coverage beyond Morningstar DBRS’ prior year expectation of 2.7 times (x) or above because of the REIT’s high proportion of variable rate debt. Morningstar DBRS anticipates a modest improvement in the coverage in the medium term as the REIT continues to execute its Business Transformation Plan through monetizing assets and using the proceeds to repay further variable rate debt. However, Morningstar DBRS notes that, given the increased variable rate debt in an elevated interest rate environment and an already weakened coverage ratio, Artis has less cushion for the current leverage at the given rating level. Morningstar DBRS has also revised its assessment of the REIT’s portfolio size lower as the REIT continues to shrink in size following the asset dispositions carried out in the last 12 months ended (LTM) September 30, 2023. Morningstar DBRS believes that the weakening of the REIT’s financial risk metrics and declining market presence, coupled with its relatively smaller size for the current rating category, increase the possibility of a downgrade action in the near future.

CREDIT RATING DRIVERS
All else equal, Morningstar DBRS would consider downgrading Artis should it fail to achieve a Morningstar DBRS EBITDA interest coverage ratio of 1.83x or better on a sustained basis, or should the Morningstar DBRS total debt-to-EBITDA not improve to 8.6x or better on a sustained basis in the near term. Also, further negative rating actions could occur if the REIT’s debt maturity profile remains short on a sustained basis in the near term. Conversely, Morningstar DBRS would consider restoring a Stable trend should either of these metrics be comfortably achieved on a sustained basis, all else equal.

FINANCIAL OUTLOOK
Morningstar DBRS projects the Morningstar DBRS EBITDA interest coverage metrics to weaken and fluctuate in the 1.6x range by YE2023 and YE2024, primarily because of the REIT’s greater cost of debt as a result of its high variable debt exposure. The Morningstar DBRS debt-to-EBITDA is forecast to increase in the high 9x range at YE2023 because of the loss of EBITDA from recent asset sales carried out in 2023 before showing modest improvement to the high 8x range at YE2024. This improvement will be largely driven by the REIT’s asset monetization plans as demonstrated by the recent sale of its Calgary/Winnipeg Retail portfolio for aggregate proceeds of $222 million, which is expected to close in H1 2024. Morningstar DBRS understands the net disposition proceeds will be used to repay further debt. For comparative purposes, the REIT had Morningstar DBRS total debt-to-EBITDA and EBITDA interest coverage ratios of 9.2x and 1.84x, respectively, as of the LTM ended September 30, 2023.

CREDIT RATING RATIONALE
The rating confirmation is supported by (1) Artis’ well-diversified, albeit reduced, stable and recurrent income-producing portfolio through economic cycles; (2) strong tenant and property diversification; and (3) lack of aggressive expansion and development activities. The rating is constrained by (1) Artis’ weak interest coverage amid a high interest rate environment and elevated leverage for the REIT’s portfolio size and EBITDA; (2) lack of scale in any markets that it operates; and (3) the smaller portfolio size on both EBITDA and square footage bases relative to the BBB (low) rating category.

Affected issues are AX.PR.E AND AX.PR.I.

Pembina Pipeline Corporation has announced:

that it does not intend to exercise its right to redeem the currently outstanding Cumulative Redeemable Rate Reset Class A Preferred Shares, Series 3 (“Series 3 Shares”) (TSX: PPL.PR.C) on March 1, 2024.

As a result of the decision not to redeem the Series 3 Shares, and subject to certain terms of the Series 3 Shares, the holders of the Series 3 Shares will have the right to elect to convert all or part of their Series 3 Shares on a one-for-one basis into Cumulative Redeemable Floating Rate Class A Preferred Shares, Series 4 of Pembina (“Series 4 Shares”) on March 1, 2024 (the “Conversion Date”). Holders who do not exercise their right to convert their Series 3 Shares into Series 4 Shares will retain their Series 3 Shares.

As provided in the terms of the Series 3 Shares: (i) if Pembina determines that there would remain outstanding immediately following the conversion less than 1,000,000 Series 3 Shares, then all remaining Series 3 Shares will be automatically converted into Series 4 Shares on a one-for-one basis effective as of the Conversion Date; or (ii) if Pembina determines that there would be less than 1,000,000 Series 4 Shares outstanding immediately following the conversion, no Series 3 Shares will be converted into Series 4 Shares on the Conversion Date. There are currently 6,000,000 Series 3 Shares outstanding.

With respect to any Series 3 Shares that remain outstanding after the Conversion Date, holders thereof will be entitled to receive quarterly fixed cumulative preferential cash dividends, if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Pembina. The annual dividend rate for the Series 3 Shares for the five-year period from and including March 1, 2024, to, but excluding, March 1, 2029, will be 6.019 percent, being equal to the five-year Government of Canada bond yield of 3.419 percent determined as of today plus 2.60 percent, in accordance with the terms of the Series 3 Shares.

With respect to any Series 4 Shares that may be issued on the Conversion Date, holders thereof will be entitled to receive quarterly floating rate cumulative preferential cash dividends, if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Pembina. The annual dividend rate applicable to the Series 4 Shares for the three-month floating rate period from and including March 1, 2024, to, but excluding, June 1, 2024, will be 7.631 percent, being equal to the annual rate of interest for the most recent auction of 90-day Government of Canada treasury bills of 5.031 percent plus 2.60 percent, in accordance with the terms of the Series 4 Shares (the “Floating Quarterly Dividend Rate”). The Floating Quarterly Dividend Rate will be reset on the first day of March, June, September and December in each year.

Beneficial holders of Series 3 Shares who wish to exercise their right of conversion during the conversion period, which runs from January 31, 2024, until 3:00 pm (MT) / 5:00 pm (ET) on February 15, 2024, should communicate as soon as possible with their broker or other intermediary for more information. It is recommended that this be done well in advance of the deadline in order to provide the broker or other intermediary with the time to complete the necessary steps. Any notices received after this deadline will not be valid.

As previously announced, the dividend payable on March 1, 2024, to holders of the Series 3 Shares of record on February 1, 2024, will be $0.279875 per Series 3 Share. For more information on the terms of the Series 3 Shares and the Series 4 Shares, please see the prospectus supplement dated September 25, 2013, which can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

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. I recommended against conversion and there was no conversion. The issue is tracked by HIMIPref™ but is relegated to the Scraps – FixedReset (Discount) subindex on credit concerns.

Thanks to Assiduous Reader avocado for bringing this to my attention!

Update, 2024-2-21: No conversion:

Pembina Pipeline Corporation (“Pembina”) (TSX: PPL; NYSE: PBA) announced today that none of Pembina’s Cumulative Redeemable Rate Reset Class A Preferred Shares, Series 3 (“Series 3 Shares”) (TSX: PPL.PR.C) will be converted into Cumulative Redeemable Floating Rate Class A Preferred Shares, Series 4 of Pembina (“Series 4 Shares”) on March 1, 2024.

After taking into account all the conversion notices received from holders of its outstanding Series 3 Shares by the February 15, 2024 deadline for the conversion of the Series 3 Shares into Series 4 Shares, less than the 1,000,000 Series 3 Shares required to give effect to conversions into Series 4 Shares were tendered for conversion.

Enbridge Inc. has announced:

that it does not intend to exercise its right to redeem its currently outstanding Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares, Series P (Series P Shares) (TSX: ENB.PR.P) on March 1, 2024. As a result, subject to certain conditions, the holders of the Series P Shares have the right to convert all or part of their Series P Shares on a one-for-one basis into Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares, Series Q of Enbridge (Series Q Shares) on March 1, 2024. Holders who do not exercise their right to convert their Series P Shares into Series Q Shares will retain their Series P Shares.

The foregoing conversion right is subject to the conditions that: (i) if Enbridge determines that there would be less than 1,000,000 Series P Shares outstanding after March 1, 2024, then all remaining Series P Shares will automatically be converted into Series Q Shares on a one-for-one basis on March 1, 2024; and (ii) alternatively, if Enbridge determines that there would be less than 1,000,000 Series Q Shares outstanding after March 1, 2024, no Series P Shares will be converted into Series Q Shares. There are currently 16,000,000 Series P Shares outstanding.

With respect to any Series P Shares that remain outstanding after March 1, 2024, holders thereof will be entitled to receive quarterly fixed cumulative preferential cash dividends, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Enbridge. The new annual dividend rate applicable to the Series P Shares for the five-year period commencing on March 1, 2024 to, but excluding, March 1, 2029 will be 5.918 percent, being equal to the five-year Government of Canada bond yield of 3.418 percent determined as of today plus 2.50 percent in accordance with the terms of the Series P Shares.

With respect to any Series Q Shares that may be issued on March 1, 2024, holders thereof will be entitled to receive quarterly floating rate cumulative preferential cash dividends, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Enbridge. The dividend rate applicable to the Series Q Shares for the three-month floating rate period commencing on March 1, 2024 to, but excluding, June 1, 2024 will be 1.89279 percent, based on the annual rate on three month Government of Canada treasury bills for the most recent treasury bills auction of 5.03 percent plus 2.50 percent in accordance with the terms of the Series Q Shares (the Floating Quarterly Dividend Rate). The Floating Quarterly Dividend Rate will be reset every quarter.

Beneficial holders of Series P Shares who wish to exercise their right of conversion during the conversion period, which runs from January 31, 2024 until 5:00 p.m. (EST) on February 15, 2024, should communicate as soon as possible with their broker or other intermediary for more information. It is recommended that this be done well in advance of the deadline in order to provide the broker or other intermediary time to complete the necessary steps. Any notices received after this deadline will not be valid.

ENB.PR.P was issued as 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. I recommended against conversion and there was no conversion. It is tracked by HIMIPref™ but is relegated to the Scraps FixedReset Discount index on credit concerns.

Thanks to Assiduous Reader newbiepref for bringing this to my attention!

Update, 2024-2-28: No conversion:

Enbridge Inc. (TSX: ENB) (NYSE: ENB) (Enbridge) announced today that none of its outstanding Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares, Series P (Series P Shares) will be converted into Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares, Series Q (Series Q Shares) on March 1, 2024.

After taking into account all conversion notices received from holders of its outstanding Series P Shares by the February 15, 2024 deadline for the conversion of the Series P Shares into Series Q Shares, less than the 1,000,000 Series P Shares required to give effect to conversions into Series Q Shares were tendered for conversion.

Enbridge Inc. has announced:

that it does not intend to exercise its right to redeem its currently outstanding Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares, Series 7 (Series 7 Shares) (TSX: ENB.PR.J) on March 1, 2024. As a result, subject to certain conditions, the holders of the Series 7 Shares have the right to convert all or part of their Series 7 Shares on a one-for-one basis into Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares, Series 8 of Enbridge (Series 8 Shares) on March 1, 2024. Holders who do not exercise their right to convert their Series 7 Shares into Series 8 Shares will retain their Series 7 Shares.

The foregoing conversion right is subject to the conditions that: (i) if Enbridge determines that there would be less than 1,000,000 Series 7 Shares outstanding after March 1, 2024, then all remaining Series 7 Shares will automatically be converted into Series 8 Shares on a one-for-one basis on March 1, 2024; and (ii) alternatively, if Enbridge determines that there would be less than 1,000,000 Series 8 Shares outstanding after March 1, 2024, no Series 7 Shares will be converted into Series 8 Shares. There are currently 10,000,000 Series 7 Shares outstanding.

With respect to any Series 7 Shares that remain outstanding after March 1, 2024, holders thereof will be entitled to receive quarterly fixed cumulative preferential cash dividends, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Enbridge. The new annual dividend rate applicable to the Series 7 Shares for the five-year period commencing on March 1, 2024 to, but excluding, March 1, 2029 will be 5.988 percent, being equal to the five-year Government of Canada bond yield of 3.418 percent determined as of today plus 2.57 percent in accordance with the terms of the Series 7 Shares.

With respect to any Series 8 Shares that may be issued on March 1, 2024, holders thereof will be entitled to receive quarterly floating rate cumulative preferential cash dividends, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Enbridge. The dividend rate applicable to the Series 8 Shares for the three-month floating rate period commencing on March 1, 2024 to, but excluding, June 1, 2024 will be 1.91038 percent, based on the annual rate on three month Government of Canada treasury bills for the most recent treasury bills auction of 5.03 percent plus 2.57 percent in accordance with the terms of the Series 8 Shares (the Floating Quarterly Dividend Rate). The Floating Quarterly Dividend Rate will be reset every quarter.

Beneficial holders of Series 7 Shares who wish to exercise their right of conversion during the conversion period, which runs from January 31, 2024 until 5:00 p.m. (EST) on February 15, 2024, should communicate as soon as possible with their broker or other intermediary for more information. It is recommended that this be done well in advance of the deadline in order to provide the broker or other intermediary time to complete the necessary steps. Any notices received after this deadline will not be valid.

ENB.PR.J was issued as a FixedReset, 4.40%+257, that commenced trading 2013-12-12 after being announced 2013-12-3. Notice of the reset to 4.449% was published 2019-1-30. I recommended against conversion and there was no conversion. The issue is tracked by HIMIPref™ but relegated to the Scraps – FixedResets (Discount) subindex on credit concerns.

Thanks to Assiduous Reader newbiepref for bringing this to my attention!

Update, 2024-2-18: No conversion.

Enbridge Inc. (TSX: ENB) (NYSE: ENB) (Enbridge) announced today that none of its outstanding Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares, Series 7 (Series 7 Shares) will be converted into Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares, Series 8 (Series 8 Shares) on March 1, 2024.

After taking into account all conversion notices received from holders of its outstanding Series 7 Shares by the February 15, 2024 deadline for the conversion of the Series 7 Shares into Series 8 Shares, less than the 1,000,000 Series 7 Shares required to give effect to conversions into Series 8 Shares were tendered for conversion.