As so often happens after we saw preferreds and baby bonds fall substantially in the last month (down 3-4%) we are seeing a nice rally in them this week. It is not that interest rates have moved lower, but simply that the 3-4% setback was overdone. Folks simply are now buying what they perceive to be ‘bargains’. Our accounts have risen nicely this week–but remain around 1-1.5% below all time highs–the continual stream of dividend and interest payments have been very nice in helping to offset capital losses.
Yesterday we had soft economic numbers released with the purchasing managers indexes (PMI) coming in short of expectations by small amounts–this simply continues a long stream of conflicting data. There is nothing in this data that indicates substantial softness in the overall economy. Today, in an hour, we get durable goods orders data–again not likely to be a meaningful number when taken by itself–we’ll see.
Futures markets are higher by a bit this morning–up 1/5% on the S&P500. Interest rates are flattish again at 4.64% (the 10 year treasury). We are awaiting GDP numbers on Thursday and the PCE Friday–these numbers have the potential to move interest rates into the 4.75% area if they are hot. If the numbers come in ‘soft’ we will see interest rates fall a bit–not dramatically. Numbers right on target (forecast) would be wonderful an keep income issues from tumbling.
Yesterday I bought shares in Hennessy Advisors 4.875% baby bonds (HNNAZ)–recall I had set a good til cancelled order at $23.35 a week or two ago and it executed yesterday. These are additional shares to be added to a position I already owned.
I’ve seen a little bounce too in my portfolio value. It would have been greater except I tap it each month to supplement SS since I have no pension (I was self employed folks before retirement! The portfolio is my pension). Fortunately the dividends more than provide the monthly withdrawals. That’s what the portfolio is for though, not to just watch it grow! Might as well enjoy the fruits of it.
MFAO now trading Fidelity at $25.18
MFAN, similar terms, better YTM.
MFAN 25.57 = 8.55% clean. MFAO 25.11 = 9.195% clean (both annual equivalent rate per quantwolf.com calcs.
Oops, you’re right, I had it reversed.
My guess is that a hot number could move us back to the 4.9% area. We were at that level last October.
If we have talk about the fed raising rates, the 5% threshold could be broken.
Time will tell. No way to know.