Yesterday, while I was out taking care of some family medical issues, there were new issues announced.
Aspen Insurance announced a new 7% non cumulative perpetual preferred with proceeds to redeem their F-to F preferred (I assume the AHL-C issue) which is now a fixed rate issue with a coupon of 9.59%. We had some snoozers on this one as it was trading at $26.60 last month and new is at $25.43. Aspen is now owned by Apollo.
The preliminary prospectus is here. The pricing term document is here.
Ramaco Resources (METC) sold a new baby bond with a coupon of 8.375%. The pricing term sheet is here.
Thanks to J (as always), Peppino and others who made note of new issues in the Readers Alert Section–always the best place to get an immediate ‘heads up’ on new issues.
Looks like ASIHF went away in my ETRADE account this morning but was not replaced with the permanent AHL.PR.F. Does anyone have the new CUSIP number? The reps at ETRADE are having trouble finding it. I have the link to preliminary prospectus here but does not have the CUSIP: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1267395/000162828024048738/aspen-preliminaryprosupp.htm
yazzer,
AHL-F cusip = G05384 170.
It’s in this FWP filing, posted on QOL:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1267395/000162828024048848/aspen-fwp112124.htm
I can trade it at Fido now, as ticker “AHLPRF” (the Fido symbology).
Thanks!!!
ASHIV now showing up on Schwab at $24.83.
I got a fill for 500 at $24.95 at Fidelity. Ticker is ASIHF.
i filled a small order at fidelity as well.
24.92
This has turned out well so far with ASIHF = AHL-F at $25.40s
same here this AM at $24.90 (ASIHF) – traded in my AHL-D for $21.80 that i had purchased abt $21/share avg.
Tim; I have a question for an expert such as yourself. Regarding Aspen Insurance which you said is owned by Apollo. So down the road if the shit hits the fan and Aspen were to run into trouble would Apollo come to the rescue and make the payments for them or would they say the old cliche of “Not my Problem”???
Good question Chuck. I don’t have an answer as I don’t work for Apollo,
But history looking at say BDC’s and P
.E. Companies leads me to think if there’s any problems I have seen where they will combine different funds that are under performing to make a stronger entity. I have also seen where a company has moved all the poor performing assets and dumped into a separate entity.
That has happened with Blackstone and a recent combining of separate funds of either a BDC or CEF not sure which as Im in the waiting room at the doctor for my wife.
Apollo got into trouble a long time ago but recovered. I think if you go to Quantum on line they mention it and you can Google it.
Chuck—I think there’s a risk that Apollo would find a way to strand Aspen if it got into trouble. Others say Apollo would step up to the plate to maintain their firm’s reputation. When your back is against the wall, it’s every man for himself. I personally tend to mostly stay away from BDC and PE related firms. I was burned once, which makes me twice cautious.
Whidbey—I have always said that these giant asset owners make the individual companies stand on there own–they don’t step in for the ‘rescue’.
Chuck, we already have a precedent for this question. Brookfield in Canada is highly regarded. That did not prevent them from letting Altera Infrastructure *Teekay” go bankrupt. Altera was losing money, but Brookfield could have easily kept on subsidizing the losses. Their three preferreds ALIN-A,B,E were wiped out. Obviously Brookfield was not concerned about any reputational damage. No reason to think Apollo would be any different IMO.
Private equity firms have a reputation for having sharp elbows. Very few limits on what they would do to make or keep a buck. .
Tex—this is the one (where I was burned) that I was referring to above. Companies like Apollo and Brookfield will smile, look you in the eye, and just say “it’s only business”.
I want to give a “BIG THANK YOU” to everyone that chimed in on my question. I think I will take a pass on Aspen. Being a thousand years old now Iam somewhat “pulling in my horns” on the “risk scale”. We’re living in a world where its very easy to lose money on a holding. And even though we all do lots of research & DD I have found its still easy to not see something coming at times. Again, Thank You to all.
Chuck, Thanks for starting the conversation and sharing. You’re making me think. Too bad we don’t have access to 144a offerings I would like to get some of the new Cobank preferred coming out.
CHARLES M; My friend. I bought $250K of Co-Bank about a month ago. Their “minimum” purchase on this issue was $250K so no other choice. Its a 7.25% coupon and not callable until JULY 1st, 2029. I got it at $102. Cusip is : 19075QAF9. It pays twice a year. Rated BBB+. It “resets” at 2.88% + 5 Year Treasury in July of 2029. Is that the one you are referring to or have they issued another brand new one???? Maybe it was longer than a month ago I need to look it up if its important to you. Iam sure the price as changed by now. When you’re “ancient” like me time always goes by way faster than you think it does—LOL.
Chuck, We think alike! First thing I did when I heard the CKNQP is likely to be called is to look to see if Cobank had any bonds. I looked on Fidelity for the volume before calling in to the bond desk, but the qualities were too much.
The bond is IG and meets Westie’s spread for holding this or a T-bill. Price and yield confirm you got a nice buy.
I did a little search to give you the correct answer. If you look under the Illiquids tab over on the right and scroll down to 11/21 you will see the discussion on the Cobank $100 preferred. Here is a snippet.
CoBank redemption history
CBKLP 6.125% fixed, first call 7/1/18, called 1/1/22
CBKPP 6.25% F-F, first call 10/1/22, called 10/1/22
It’s almost certain CKNQP will be called on 1/1/25
People here are talking about a new $100.00 issue that is 144a not the $1000.00 bonds.
The bonds are one step up in safety, but I don’t think there is any worry with the safety of the preferred issues. Hate to see it go, holding in my wife’s ROTH
Thanks for posting the CUSIP there may be others on here who might be interested.
Here you go Charles and Chuck:
Global Finance Names the Safest Banks in North America 2024
NEW YORK, October 7, 2024 — Global Finance has announced the Safest Banks in North America as part of its 33rd annual ranking of the World’s Safest Banks. The full list is included here and will be published in the November print and digital editions, as well as online at GFMag.com.
1 Royal Bank of Canada
2 Toronto-Dominion Bank
3 Bank of Nova Scotia
4 Bank of Montreal
5 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
6 Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec
7 AgriBank
8 CoBank <<—-
9 AgFirst
10 Farm Credit Bank of Texas
Temp ticker for AHL-F: ASIHV Not yet in Fido’s system.
https://otce.finra.org/otce/dailyList?viewType=Additions
Trading OTC.
https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/ASIHV/overview
Moody’s summary of it’s Ba1 rating on AHL-F:
https://www.moodys.com/research/null-Moodys-Ratings-assigns-Ba1hyb-rating-to-Aspens-Series-F-preference-Rating-Action–PR_1000010636?cid=GAR9PTU7VKT2671&emailToken=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJVc2VySWQiOiJkYzVkYjczMC01NTBiLTQ3ZjctYjhjZi05NzY2ZjAxZmU0MzMiLCJEb2NJZCI6IlBSXzEwMDAwMTA2MzYiLCJjcmVhdGlvbkRhdGUiOiIyMDI0LTExLTIyVDEyOjM3OjAyLjMyNTcyNjQtMDU6MDAiLCJleHAiOjE3MzI1NTYyMjIsIlVzZXJOYW1lIjoiY3BhbWlrZW1iYUB5YWhvby5jb20iLCJVc2VyVHlwZSI6IjIifQ.C5eq3SMJX3a7nRwFjM_3cn4_7O0s1I6MNAZgf7hiuSg
ASIHV now up on QOL.
It is ASIHF on eTrade.
Don’t recall such a low underwriter’s percentage (METC) 0.875%
Owned it ages ago- was declining ’17 to ’21 , slowly up / down since then.
My error– it comes to 3.5% – doh!
hope all is turning out well personally
I have some AHL-D which is paying less than 7%. Not good news for that issue.
swapped mine at $21.80 for $24.90. About 6.45% for 7.03%