Author: Innovative Income Investor

Well the durable goods numbers came in super strong today at +.9% versus a forecast of -1%–that’s a giant swing and supports interest rates right where they are as the 10 year treasury is trading at a 4.35% yield which is up a few basis points. Honestly I think this number is a fluke–I think future orders were pulled ahead as some folks wanted to get in purchases before tariffs kick in on April 2nd. Personally I had not given a thought to running out and buying stuff to beat the tariff, but some folks did–I know because we had one of our daughters and son in law go out and buy a car ‘to beat the tariffs’. Well maybe I am a dummy but I didn’t go out and buy so much as a candy bar to beat tariffs–think we will survive.

Equity markets are trading lower after starting the day stronger–just guessing folks are worried about rates heading higher–I know I have some ‘red’ in portfolios today–pretty minor amounts. Last night I was perusing the dividends and interest amounts that will hit the accounts next week and it is a pretty big number and will minimally keep me on track with a 1/2%–or maybe even .6% gain for March.

Today I did a little housekeeping in accounts. I booked my worst losses in a couple years by selling off 2 tiny positions in the Brighthouse Financial (BHF)Preferreds. I had originally had much larger positions, but had sold the majority of the shares in December and January which had losses at the time. I kept a tiny bit of each as place holders to remind me in case I wanted to re-buy. Certainly I have no intention of ever holding these shares again since the company has announced some months ago they were trying to sell the company thus there would be a prospect of a delisting of the shares. Below are the issues I finished selling.

Brighthouse Financial 6.60% Preferred (BHFAP)

Brighthouse Financial 5.375% Preferred (BHFAN)