Franklin BSP Realty Trust PFD Series E Rates A Sell
Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. faces ongoing financial weakness, with both common and preferred shares rated Sell despite high yields. FBRT's 10.6% preferred yield and 13% common yield are not justified given dividend coverage concerns and a declining earnings trend. The board cut the common dividend by 56% this year, and preferred dividend coverage is a thin 2.3x, highlighting risk.
PFD Vs. DFP: Similar CEFs, But Different Results
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.
Schwab PFD Review Results In Two Hold Ratings
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.
PFD: The Risks Here Could Be Greater Than Believed
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.
MS PFD A Update: Is The Price Bottoming? My Uncertainty Results In A Hold Rating
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.
