DFP Flaherty & Crumrine Dynamic Pfd and Inc Fd has outperformed Flaherty & Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred and Income Fund Inc since DFP's 2013 inception. DFP emphasizes total return with high current income, while PFD focuses on high current income and capital preservation. Key considerations for CEF investors include leverage usage, price vs. NAV discounts, effective duration, floating rate exposure, and credit rating allocation.
The Charles Schwab Corporation offers two preferred stocks—Series D (5.95%) and Series J (4.45%)—with strong dividend coverage and moderate redemption risk. SCHW's 17.7x dividend coverage ratio and 6.3x total common equity over preferreds reflect robust financial strength supporting preferred dividend payments. Series D is likely to be called before Series J due to its higher coupon, making Series J's high yield-to-call figure largely irrelevant.
The Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred and Income Fund underperforms peers in yield and total return, despite outperforming the preferred stock index. PFD's current 6.88% yield trails comparable closed-end funds, making it less attractive for income-focused investors seeking higher payouts. The fund trades at a 7.50% discount to NAV, its cheapest level among peers and below its five-year average, but this does not offset its lower yield.
Morgan Stanley PFD A 1/1000 rating raised to Hold, but more price erosion possible. I continue to hold this issue. Both MS.PR.A and GS.PR.D offer 4% coupon floors, providing downside protection but resulting in modest fixed components. MS.PR.A carries a higher credit rating (BBB-) than GS.PR.D (BB+), with strong common equity coverage ratios for both issuers.