Friday, December 31, 2021

AQN, ARI, BBCA, CMCSA, CSX, EAF, EBIX, EPRT, FCOM, ORAN, QUAL, PDM, VHCOX

Economy

Despite supply issues and omicron, holiday sales rise 8.5%

Omicron's Spread Will Slam First-Quarter GDP | Barron's

U.S. CDC says people should 'avoid cruise travel, regardless of vaccination status' I would not have to be told twice to avoid cruise ships. 

580,000 new Covid infections were reported yesterday in the U.S.. Covid in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count - The New York Times Over the past 14 days, hospitalizations have increased 19% over the past 14 days to 81,497. The 7 day average of new infections was reported at 344,543 which is a new high. 

South Africa is claiming that new infections have peaked in that country without a major increase in deaths and hospitalizations. South Africa Says It Has Passed Its Fourth Wave of Cases and counts few added deaths-The New York TimesOmicron covid wave past peak in South Africa with relatively few deaths - The Washington Post One assumption is that the government actually has a reasonably accurate count of new infections and deaths. 

The virus will continue to mutate and a question remains whether those infected with Omicron or one of the previous variants will have immunity from Covid symptoms, or close to it, from future variants that become dominant due to a combination of vaccines and/or previous infections.    

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Markets and Market Commentary

Shiller PE Ratio at 40.09, near its all time of 44.19 (12/1999), data from 1870 to date. 

Berkshire Stock Is Cheap. It's One of Barron's Top Stock Picks, Too. | Barron's I own a few shares of the Baby B shares. 

JetBlue Cancels Nearly 1,300 Flights to Manage Omicron Staff Shortage | Barron's

Capacity Utilization: Total Index-St. Louis Fed

All Sectors; Debt Securities and Loans; Liability, Level/Gross Domestic Product-St. Louis Fed

Nonfinancial Corporate Business; Debt Securities; Liability, Level-St. Louis Fed

Federal Debt Held by Federal Reserve Banks-St. Louis Fed

Households and Nonprofit Organizations; Consumer Credit; Liability, Level-St. Louis Fed

Household Debt Service Payments as a Percent of Disposable Personal Income-St. Louis Fed

Household Financial Obligations as a percent of Disposable Personal Income-St. Louis Fed

Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE-St. Louis Fed

M2 Money Stock -St. Louis Fed

Velocity of M2 Money Stock St. Louis Fed

Personal Saving Rate-St. Louis Fed

4-Week Moving Average of Initial Claims- St. Louis Fed

Unemployment Rate-St. Louis Fed

Households; Owners' Equity in Real Estate, Level -St. Louis Fed

15-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Average in the United States-St. Louis Fed

S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Home Price Index-St. Louis Fed

Median Sales Price for New Houses Sold in the United States-St. Louis Fed

Total Unemployed, Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force, Plus Total Employed Part-Time for Economic Reasons, as a Percent of the C- (U-6)-St. Louis Fed

Share of Labor Compensation in GDP at Current National Prices for the United States -St. Louis Fed

Light Weight Vehicle Sales: Autos and Light Trucks- St. Louis Fed

Cass Freight Index: Shipments-St. Louis Fed

Truck Tonnage-St. Louis Fed

Leading Index for the United States-St. Louis Fed

University of Michigan: Consumer Sentiment-St. Louis Fed

E-Commerce Retail Sales-St. Louis Fed

Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in the U.S. City Average-St. Louis Fed

Crude Oil Prices: West Texas Intermediate (WTI) - Cushing, Oklahoma-St. Louis Fed

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Jesse Watters's Incendiary Fauci Comments Follow a Fox News Pattern - The New York Times  

Louie Gohmert (R-TX) Says 2nd Amendment Solutions Getting Closer Gohmert will be remembered primarily for his claims that wearing a mask will give you Covid. GOP Rep. Louie Gohmert Suggests Mask Wearing Gave Him Coronavirus  

Democrats challenge Ron DeSantis on Florida’s omicron surge as state breaks covid case record - The Washington Post

Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), An Anti-vaxxer, Owns Stock in Pfizer

Pro-Trump lawyer says his plantations were go-to spots for election conspiracy theorists

Omicron helps fuel hospital staffing shortages - The Washington Post 

Putin Warns Biden of ‘Complete Rupture’ of U.S.-Russia Relationship Over Ukraine - The New York Times If Russia invades Ukraine, and the U.S. imposes economic sanctions as a result, Putin says that response will completely rupture relations. So be it. Russia is moving decisively and inevitably toward a totalitarian state controlled by a Kleptocracy. Putin claims that the U.S. has provoked this crisis involving Russia's military aggression by supplying Ukraine with what he terms as offensive weapons, such as anti-tank missiles and small arms munitions that are grossly inadequate to protect that nation from a Russian invasion. Under centuries of extremely poor leadership, with Putin just being the latest incompetent autocrat, Russia's GDP is currently lower than that of Italy and South Korea. Countries by GDP: The Top 25 Economies in the World    

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1. Small Ball

For the most part, I have been selling low dividend yielding stocks and stock ETFs and reinvesting the proceeds into higher yielding dividend stocks. 

There are exceptions to that trend. 

For example, I have substantially reduced my small ball exposure to Office REITs that pay higher than average dividends due to the pandemic's recent resurgence. My concern is that the pandemic's long duration will cause many firms to abandon office space, permitting many or all employees to work at home, thereby creating an oversupply, significant vacancies, and rent concessions.

Another example involves purchasing low yielding stocks that are in what I view as a fair value range. CMCSA, discussed below, is one of those. I view CSX, another low yielder, to be overvalued so I sold my small ball position. (Item # G. Below) 

While some money is being used to buy stock Lottos, the amounts are small, and I am trading many of them for small gains, as a form of entertainment for the Old Geezer. Some examples are discussed in this post.  

While I certainly have an excess amount of cash earning .01%, and that pile is growing through bond redemptions, net equity sales, and cash flow from dividends and interest payments, I am reluctant to redirect the cash into risk assets. 

I am more negative on bonds than stocks. 

A. Eliminated PDM in Schwab Account -Sold 5 at $18.71 and 34+ at $18

Schwab Account History: 



Quote: Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc. Cl A  (PDM)

Buy discussions: Item # 3.K. Started PDM in Vanguard Taxable Account-Bought 10 at $11.45 (10/7/20 Post)Item # 1.H. Added to PDM in Schwab Taxable Account-Bought 5 at $13.6; 5 at $13.3; 5 at $12.5; 5 at $12.3; 5 at $11.69; 5 at $11.4 and 10 at $10.30(10/31/20 Post) 

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc- Investor Relations

SEC Filings

2020 Annual Report

Investment Category: Equity REIT Common and Preferred Stock Basket Strategy

Profit Snapshot: +$235.88

Dividend: Quarterly at $.21 per share, last raised from $.20 effective for the 2014 4th quarter payment. 

PDM Dividend History-Nasdaq 

Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/21): Piedmont Office Realty (PDM) SEC Filed Earnings Press Release and Supplemental Filing 

Core FFO per share = $.50; 

2021 core FFO per share share guidance now at $$1.95- $1.98; 

"Debt-to-Gross Assets ratio was 34.4% as of September 30, 2021"; 

revenues = $60.2M; A

AFFO, which deducts maintenance expenses and pretend revenues created by the straight line accounting convention reported at $41.213M or about $.33 per share; 

Quarterly dividend at per share = $.21; 

Leased at 85.6%; number of properties = 54; 

"issued $300 million in aggregate principal amount of 2.75% Senior Notes due 2032 and used the proceeds to repay its Amended and Restated $300 million Unsecured 2011 Term Loan that was scheduled to mature in November of 2021."; 

SU debt rated at BBB/Baa2; 

No mortgage debt

B. Added to CMCSA-Bought 1 at $49.55; 1 at $48.92; 2 at $47.75




Quote: Comcast Corp. Cl A 

CMCSA Analyst Estimates | MarketWatch

CMCSA SEC Filings

2020 Annual Report

Average Cost per share: $51.05 (9 shares)

Dividend: Quarterly at $.25 per share, last raised from $.23 effective for the 2021 second quarter payment.  

Yield at AC = 1.96%

Last DiscussedItem # 2.J. Added to CMCSA-Bought 2 at $51.91 (12/3/21 Post) I discussed the last earnings report in that post and have nothing to add here. SEC Filed Earnings Press Release 

C.  Bought 10 EPRT at $27.95


Quote: Essential Properties Realty Trust Inc. - Internally managed net lease REIT

EPRT SEC Filings 

This is a new names for me. 

"Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. is an internally managed REIT that acquires, owns and manages primarily single- tenant properties that are net leased on a long-term basis to companies operating service-oriented or experience-based businesses. As of September 30, 2021, the Company’s portfolio consisted of 1,397 freestanding net lease properties with a weighted average lease term of 13.9 years and a weighted average rent coverage ratio of 3.5x. In addition, as of September 30, 2021, the Company’s portfolio was 99.9% leased to 297 tenants operating 423 different concepts in 17 industries across 45 states."

Dividend: Quarterly at $.25 per share, last raised from $.24 effective for the 2021 4th quarter payment.  

Yield at $27.95 = 3.58%

Last Ex Dividend: 12/30/21 (owned as of) 

Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/21)SEC Filed Press Release 

AFFO per share = $.33, up from $.27 in the 2020 third quarter

GAAP Income to FFO to AFFO Calculations:

Essential Properties Realty Trust (EPRT) Q3 2021 Earnings Call Transcript | The Motley Fool

SEC Filed Investor Presentation for 2021 Third Quarter 

AFFO per share Guidance: 

2021: "The Company reiterates its previously issued expectation that 2021 AFFO per share on a fully diluted basis will be within a range of $1.30 to $1.32."

2022: "The Company currently expects 2022 AFFO per share on a fully diluted basis to be within a range of $1.46 to $1.50."

The P/AFFO using the AFFO midpoint guidance for 2022 and a $27.95 price is 18.88. 

Purchase Restriction: Each subsequent purchase must be at the lowest price in the chain.

D. Added to AQN-Bought 5 at $13.95; 5 at $13.67-Schwab Taxable:  


Quotes: 

CADS: Algonquin Power & Utilities (Canada: Toronto)

USDs: Algonquin Power & Utilities (U.S.: NYSE)

Website: Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.

Average Cost per share this account: US$14.25 (30 shares)

Dividend: Quarterly at US$.1706 per share, last raised from $.1551

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. Declares Fourth Quarter 2021 Common Share Dividend of U.S.$0.1706 (C$0.2124) 

As previously discussed, AQN has a good dividend growth history for a utility. I am expecting that growth to slow down, or possibly stop, until the company digests its acquisition of Kentucky Power. Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. Announces Agreement to Acquire Kentucky Power and Concurrent Bought Deal Financing (10/26/21) AQN will spend a lot of money transitioning from coal generation to clean energy. 

Dividend History

Yield at AC: 4.79%

Last Ex Dividend: Yesterday, 12/30/21 (owned all as of)

Last DiscussedItem # 1 Bought 300 AQN:CA at C$18.18 and Item 2.G. Bought 10 AQN at US$14.69; 5 at US$14.45; 5 at US$14.06 (11/18/21 Post) I discussed the third quarter report and recent developments in that post. 

Material News Since Last DiscussionAlgonquin Power & Utilities Corp. to Provide Business Update at Investor Day (12/14/21)(guides to 2022 adjusted E.P.S. of $.72 to $.77 and then adjusted E.P.S. compound annual growth rate of 7% to 9% for the five year period starting in 2022 through 2026. RBC commented that the 2022 guidance was disappointing but maintained its outperform rating with a C$18 PT. I do not have access to that report, but am merely repeating here a news summary of it.   

Broker Report (available to Schwab customers): 

Credit Suisse (12/15/21) Neutral with a US$16 PT

AQN Exchange Traded Bond

AQN has one $25 par value exchange traded, fixed-to-floating rate junior bond that is traded in the U.S. Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. 6.875% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Series 2018-A due October 17, 2078  (AQNA)Prospectus. As with other fixed-to-floating rate securities sold in the U.S., AQN has the right to call at par value at anytime on or after the transition to a floating rate which will be on 10/17/23. The floating rate is based on a spread to the 3 month Libor rate which is being phased out due to its manipulation by large financial institutions and will be replaced by a more transparent rate (e.g. Secured Overnight Financing Rate; The Biggest Price-Fixing Scandal Ever - Rolling Stone) The spread starts at 3.677% with two spread bumps over time (page S-7 and S-8), provided the bond is not called prior to the 2078 maturity. As with many junior bonds, AQN may defer interest payments for up to 5 years subject to a Dividend Stopper clause on more junior securities (must eliminate a cash common share dividend before deferring payment). Deferred interest will accrue and be compounded until paid.   

I do not own this exchange traded bond. I would consider purchasing it at below par value or at a premium smaller than the amount of accrued interest. 

E. Eliminated BBCA-Sold 2 at $65.14

Quote: BBCA | JPMorgan BetaBuilders Canada ETF Overview 

Sponsor's Website: JPMorgan BetaBuilders Canada ETF

Expense Ratio: .19%

The  iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC) has an expense ratio of .51%.The one year total return for EWC through 12/23 was 25.41% compared to 26.44% for BBCA.  

Profit Snapshot: +35.92

Last DiscussedItem 2.F. Bought 5 BBCA at $23.6 (8/15/20 Post) 

Subsequent to my purchase, there was a 1 for 2 reverse stock split. I received cash for the fractional share in April 2021. 

Top 10 Holdings as of 12/23/21

I own a number of higher yielding Canadian stocks. Of the this ETF's top 10 holdings, I currently own BMO, BNS, ENB, RY and TD. My largest dollar exposure is in ENB followed by TD. The BMO and RY positions are less than 5 shares.  

Dividends: Quarterly at a variable rate. 

Last 4 Dividends:  $1.35, rounded down

Yield at $65.14  = 2.1%, rounded up 

F. Eliminated EAF Again-Sold 10 at $11.51

Quote: GrafTech International Ltd.

"GrafTech is a leading manufacturer of graphite electrodes, the critical consumable for the electric arc furnace industry. We are the only graphite electrode producer that is substantially vertically integrated into petroleum needle coke, a key raw material for graphite electrodes. This vertical integration allows GrafTech to enter into longer term agreements with its customers. These agreements have a duration of more than 12 months and include pre-determined ranges of volumes and prices. This provides greater earnings stability and visibility for GrafTech and a committed, secure source of supply for our customers." Page 25, 10-Q for the Q/E 9/30/21 

EAF Analyst Estimates | MarketWatch

Profit Snapshot: +$9.65 

Last DiscussedItem # 2.A. Restarted EAF- Bought 10 at $10.55 (9/10/21 Post) 

Dividend: Quarterly at $.01, cut from $.085 effective for the 2020 second quarter payment. 

Investment CategoryLottery Ticket Basket, recently downgraded to that category based on chart history, recent financial reports, cyclical business, and expiring fixed rate contracts with higher than spot prices. 

Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/21): SEC Filed Press Release

Net Income = $120M

E.P.S. = $.45 

Reduced debt by $100M

Revenues up 33% 

Repurchased 4.3M shares 

Other Sell DiscussionsItem # 1.R. Eliminated EAF-Sold 53+ at $12.37 (2/13/21 Post)(profit snapshot = $110.97); Item # 1.Q. Pared EAF-Sold 25 at $11.8 (1/16/21 Post)(profit snapshot = $1.99)Item # 3.I. Eliminated EAF in Fidelity taxable account-Sold 46+ at $9.94 (1/1/21 Post)(profit snapshot = $48.46)Item # 2.B. Sold 27 EAF at $11.2 (2/12/20 Post)(profit snapshot = $17.94)Item #3.C. Sold 25 at $14.48 (12/18/19 Post)(profit snapshot = $125.38)Item # 2.A. Sold 110 EAF at $13.48 (11/20/19 Post)(profit snapshot = $61.69)

EAF Trading Profits to Date: $380.07

G. Eliminated CSX-Sold 5 at $35.74


Quote: CSX Corp.

CSX SEC Filings

Website: CSX rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services - CSX.com

CSX Profile | Reuters

CSX Key Metrics | Reuters

CSX Analyst Estimates | MarketWatch (As of 12/29/21, the consensus E.P.S. estimate for 2022 was at $1.79 and at $1.94 for 2023). Using the 2022 consensus and a $35.74 price, the forward P/E is 19.97. IMO, the stock is more appropriately priced at close to 15 times 12 month forward estimated E.P.S. which translates into a $26.85 price. 

The trade group for railroads report weekly traffic numbers. News & Events - Association of American Railroads, e.g. Rail Traffic for the Week Ending December 18, 2021 - Association of American Railroads, see chart at AAR Weekly Rail Traffic 

Last Buy DiscussionsItem # 1.B. Added to CSX-Bought 2 at $30.5, 1 at $29.66 and Sold 1 at $33.09  (10/15/21 Post)Item # 4.D. Restarted CSX-Bought 2 at $31.74; 1 at $30.67 (7/31/21 Post)

Profit Snapshot: +$25.68 (12/3/21 sale only)


Dividends: Quarterly at a negligible rate of $.09 per share

Yield at $35.74 = 1% 

Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/21): SEC Filing 

Net earnings: $968M

E.P.S. = $.43 up from $.32 in the 2020 third quarter

Revenues: $3.292B, up from $2.648B

Volume and Revenue Breakdown: 

My largest gain trading CSX was a 100 share lot sold for a $390.78 profit. Item # 1 Sold  100 CSX at $30.4 (6/21/14 Post) There was subsequently a 3 for 1 stock split. 

H. Eliminated QUAL in Fidelity Account-Sold 1 at $141.09


Quote: QUAL | iShares Edge MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Overview

Sponsor's website: iShares Edge MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF | QUAL

Expense ratio = .15%

Profit Snapshot = +$47.78

Last DiscussedItem # 1.C. Bought 1 QUAL at $93.3  (7/3/2020 Post)(" large- and mid-cap U.S. stocks exhibiting positive fundamentals (high return on equity, stable year-over-year earnings growth and low financial leverage")

Some Top Holdings as of 12/23/21


The largest weighing is in Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook. 

Of the stocks included in the preceding snapshot, I have small ball positions in AMGN, CSCO, LMT, MMM and QCOM. I also own Microsoft shares, but not in a brokerage account. I was given 1 share many years ago that is enclosed in a frame. With dividends reinvested through Computershare,  the service used by MSFT for dividend reinvestments, and a 2 for 1 stock split occuring in 2003, I am up to almost 3 shares:

Microsoft Stock Split History

Dividends: Quarterly at a variable rate:

Last 4 Dividends:  $1.744 per share

Yield at $141.09: 1.24% rounded up

I. Added 10 ORAN at $10.48

Quotes:

USD: Orange ADR

Euros: Orange Stock Quote (France: Euronext Paris) 

Euro to US Dollar Exchange Rate Chart | Xe

ADR Ratio: 1 to 1 

Investment category: Bond Substitute

Website: Orange

ORAN SEC Filings - foreign company SEC Forms.  

ORAN ADR Analyst Estimates (as of 12/29/21, the consensus E.P.S. estimate for 2022 is at $1.24 and at $1.33 for 2023)

ORAN.PA - Orange SA Profile | Reuters

ORAN.PA - Orange SA Key Metrics | Reuters (in Euros)

Last DiscussedItem # 2.D. Added to ORAN-Bought 10 at $11.11 (8/12/21) I discussed the last earnings report in that post. 

Dividends: Semi-annually. ORAN paid $.9345 per share in 2021, subject to France's withholding tax. 

Last Ex Dividend: 12/9/21 (owned all as of)  

ADR Custodian Fee at $.03 per share/Owned 120

I computed the foreign tax as 12.8% of the total amount. The tax treaty allows for 15%, Article 10, France - Tax Treaty Documents, but I believe 12.8% is the tax rate on dividends. Claiming Foreign Taxes: Credit or Deduction? | Charles Schwab 

Average cost per share = $11.50 (120 shares)

Yield at $11.5  = 8.13% (using 2021 actual dividend payment)

Last Financial Report (Q/E 9/30/21): SEC Filed Press Release and SEC Filed Presentation Earnings reports are provided semi-annually.

2021 Guidance: 

Broker Reports (available to Schwab customers): 

Morningstar (11/23/21): 5 stars with a FV of $15.5 per share 

S & P (10/28/21): 5 stars with a 12 month PT of $14

J. Eliminated EBIX Again-Sold 2 at $33


Quote: Ebix, Inc.
Investment Category: Lottery Ticket 
EBIX "is a leading international supplier of on-demand infrastructure exchanges to the insurance, financial, travel, payment remittances, and healthcare industries." 10-Q for the Q/E 9/30/21 

Profit Snapshot: $11.39 (12/8/21 Sale only) 

Last DiscussedItem # 2.L. Bought 2 EBIX at $27.3 (8/27/21 Post) 

Dividend: Quarterly at $.075 per share 

Ebix Declares 7.5 Cent Quarterly Dividend, Payable December 15, 2021 to Shareholders of Record December 1, 2021.

Yield at $33 =  .9%

Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/21): Ebix Announces Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results

GAAP Net Income = $15.451M

GAAP E.P.S. = $.50 

Non-GAAP E.P.S. = $.72

Consensus at  per Fidelity

Revenue = $191.7M 

On a constant currency basis, revenues increased 18.8% Y-O-Y. 

Other Sell DiscussionsItem # 2.N. Started EBIX-Bought 8 at an AC of $20.72 and Sold  3 at $28.05 (11/13/20 Post)(profit snapshot = $19.71); Item # 2.N. Sold 2 EBIX at $36.28 (6/25/21 Post)(profit snapshot = $18.86); Item # 1.D. Eliminated EBIX-Sold 4 at $30 (3/13/21 Post)(profit snapshot = $40.05); Item # 1.M. Sold 1 EBIX at $53 (1/20/21 Post)(profit snapshot = $31.51). 

EBIX Realized Gains to Date: $121.53

There was about a 40% price decline on 2/22/21 due to a spat with the accountants who had resigned in a huff, as previously discussed in more detail. 

Even though the company has hired new accountants who signed off on the financials, this episode does create IMO considerable uncertainty since there is no way for an investor to know which accounting firm was right. 

I view this episode as a long term dark cloud with the cockroaches being invisible at the moment but possibly still present. 

Another uncertainty is the outcome of the class action lawsuits filed against the company. 

For EBIX, I will only play with the house's money, currently at $121.53, given this history.  

Current Position: None. 

K. Eliminated FCOM-Sold 3 at $51.55

Quote: Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF Overview

Sponsor's Website: FCOM | ETF Snapshot - Fidelity

Holdings: Weighted at .5% or higher as of 12/23/21

Of the stocks referenced in the previous snapshot, I currently own CMCSA, T,  VIAC, VZ. I own Walt Disney Co. (DIS) in the same way that I own MSFT, see Item # 1.H. above. A certificate for 1 share of DIS is in a frame and 2 shares were received in certificate form as a result of a 1998 3 for 1 stock split. 

Expense Ratio: .08%

Profit Snapshot: $48.5

Last Buy Discussion:  Item # 4.A. Bought 10 FCOM at $32.81 (4/20/19 Post)

Dividends: Irrelevant, paid quarterly at a variable rate. 

L. Added to ARI- Bought 5 at $13.45

Quote:  Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc.

ARI SEC Filings

10-Q for the Q/E 9/30/21

2020 Annual Report

Average Cost per share  = $14.22 (35 shares)

Dividend: Quarterly at $.35 per share ($1.4 annually)

Yield at AC: 9.85%, rounded up

Last Ex Dividend: 12/30/21  (owned all as of) 

ARI has been declining since my first purchase due IMO to fears about omicron variant. ARI deals in commercial mortgages. ARI Profile | Reuters 

I discussed this mortgage REIT in a recent post and have nothing further to add here. Item # 2.C. Bought 10 ARI at $15.04, 5 at $14.43, 5 at $14.15, 10 at $13.7 (12/10/21 Post I am just averaging down in either 5 or 10 share lots. 

M. Bought 5 TRP at $45.61-Vanguard Taxable


Quotes: 

USD: TC Energy Corp.

CAD: TC Energy Corp. (Canada: Toronto)

Canadian Dollar to US Dollar Exchange Rates Chart | Xe

Investment Categories: Bond Substitute/Dividend Growth 

Website: TC Energy — Home

Last Buy DiscussionsItem # 3.B. Added to TRP-Bought 1 at $41.92; 1 at $39.59; 1 at $39- Fidelity Taxable Account (11/7/20 Post)Item # 1.G. Added to TRP-Bought 1 at $40.26; 1 at $38.49; 1 at $34.2; 1 at $33 (4/18/20 Post)

Dividends: Quarterly, paid in CADs, converted into USDs for owners of TRP, and subject to Canada's 15% withholding tax for U.S. citizens when owned in non-retirement accounts. 

TC Energy — Dividend Information

I own TRP in my Roth IRA accounts where dividend payments are not currently subject to the Canadian tax as required by Canada's tax treaty with the U.S. I will not own foreign dividend paying stocks in my retirement account where the host country collects a tax, since there is no way to recover that amount through a foreign tax credit. Should You Keep Foreign Stocks Out of Your IRA? | Morningstar

Last Ex Dividend: 12/30/21 (owned as of). The dividend amount will fluctuate with the CAD/USD conversion rate. 

Yield with Assumptions: The last dividend was C$.87 per share which resulted in a US$.6784 payment. Assuming 4 quarters paid at US$.6784 (US$2.7136 annually) and a U.S.$45.61 constant cost basis, the yield would be about 5.95%. Note that the assumptions include a constant exchange rate, which will not happen, and no dividend increases when TRP has historically raised its dividend each year. 

Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/21):  SEC Filing

Reported E.P.S. = C$.80

Adjusted Earnings = C$.99 with the consensus at C$.99 per Fidelity 

Adjustments: 


TRP had more shares outstanding in the 2021 third quarter compared to the 2020 third quarter  resulting from issuing shares to acquire TC Pipelines, L.P. in the 2021 first quarter. TC Energy and TC PipeLines, LP complete merger (3/3/21). Prior to that acquisition, TRP owned about 24% of the shares. 

Last Sell DiscussionItem # 2.E. Sold Fractional Share Bought with Dividends at $51.25 (5/28/21 Post)(profit snapshot = $6.17). I noted in that post the C$2.2B charge related to the cancellation of the Keystone pipeline project. 

Current TRP Reset Equity Preferred Positions (prices as of 12/30/21 close):  




Unrealized gain as of 12/30/21 = C$2,454

Those preferred stocks were ex-dividend yesterday. The largest unrealized gain is C$1,660 in  TC Energy Corp. Cumulative Preferred Series 9 Stock (CA: TRPPRE) that currently has a 3.762% coupon paid on a C$25 par value that resets in October 2024 at a 2.35% spread to the 5 year Canadian government bond yield. Last discussed at Item # 5.A. Bought 100 CA:TRPPRE at C$15 and 50 at C$11.12 (3/28/20 Post)Canada 5 Year Government Bond Overview | MarketWatch (closed yesterday at 1.29%)

N. Early Redemption of  4 Ares Capital SU Bonds

Profit Snapshots: +$42


Ares had the right to redeem this bond one month early without making a make whole payment. I bought this 3.625% bond at below par value. Item # 2.B. - Bought 2 at a TC of 98.8 and 2 at a TC of 99.1 (6/13/20 Post)

If the ARES 4.2% SU bond maturing in 2024 trades below par value, I will consider buying it. That bond is now trading near 105 which produces a YTM near 2.2%. Bond  Detail During March 2020, this bond traded as low as 82.26. I have already flipped that bond twice, holding for a few days and realizing a $195.25 gain. 


O. Year End Dividend Distribution for VHCOX

The total dividend was $562.88 which was $8.76 per share:  

That is not tax efficient. 

I took the dividend in cash. While that increases my excess cash conundrum, it is consistent with my dominant goal of capital preservation. Taking fund dividends in cash is in essence a form of liquidation without selling shares.  

Quote: VHCOX | Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund;Investor Overview 

Fund Sponsor's Website: VHCOX-Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Investor Shares (closed to new investors)

Expense Ratio: .44%

Current Position Reflecting Ex Dividend: 

As of 12/22/21 Close/Unrealized Gain = $2,846.04

Prior SalesItem # 3.A. Pared VHCOX-Sold $500 at $71.62 and $500 at $73/02 (9/5/20 Post)(profit snapshot = $470.23); Item # 4 Sold 24+ VHCOX at $71.16 (1/21/18 Post)(profit snapshot = $562.11); Item # 6-Sold All VHCOX Shares Bought with Dividends (12/4/17 Post)(profit snapshot = $222.86): Item # 2.A. Sold 115+ VHCOX at $57.97 (3/1/2017 Post)(profit snapshot = $522.35) 

Total Realized Gains from share sales+$1,777.55

Last Buy DiscussionItem # 5 Initiated Position in VHCOX (4/9/13 Post)

Some Top Holdings as of 9/30/21

Recent performance has not been good, compared to its category, which has resulted in Morningstar downgrading the fund from 4 stars, the rating when I last discussed the fund, to the current 2 star rating. Vanguard Capital Opportunity Inv (VHCOX)-Morningstar 

For example, the category returns in 2019 and 2020 were 31.9% and 35.86% respectively compared to VHCOX's total returns of 27.19 and 22.79%. I am certainly content with those returns. VHCOX outperformed Morningstar's category in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. 

Starting in 2016, I started to take the dividends in cash.  

2021: $562.88

2020: $449.61

2019: $341.65

2018: $540.21

2017:  $311.60 

2016:  $334.26

Total Cash Dividends: $2,540.21

DisclaimerI am not a financial advisor, but simply an individual investor who has been managing my own money since I was a teenager. In this post, I am acting solely as a financial journalist focusing on my own investments. The information contained in this post is not intended to be a complete description or summary of all available data relevant to making an investment decision. Instead, I am merely expressing some of the reasons underlying the purchase or sale of securities. Nothing in this post is intended to constitute investment or legal advice or a recommendation to buy or to sell. All investors need to perform their own due diligence before making any financial decision which requires at a minimum reading original source material available at the SEC and elsewhere. A failure to perform due diligence only increases what I call "error creep". Stocks, Bonds & Politics: ERROR CREEP and the INVESTING PROCESS Each investor needs to assess a potential investment taking into account their personal risk tolerances, goals, and situational risks. I can only make that kind of assessment for myself and my family members.

25 comments:

  1. The most recent study comparing the Omicron and Delta variants was published yesterday by the U.K. Health Service, aided by Cambridge's MRC Biostatistics unit. The study involved 528+K Omicron cases and 573+K Delta infections. The finding is that the risk of hospitalization from Omicron was about 1/3 of that from Delta.

    https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/31/omicron-hospitalization-risk-upside-vaccine-protection-good-uk-study-.html


    The risk will vary depending on the number of vaccinations.

    For those receiving 3 shots, the risk of hospitalization resulting from an omicron infection, compared to non-vaccinated persons, is reduced by 81%.

    With 2 vaccine shots, and 25 weeks after the last one, the reduction was reduced to 52%. The booster increased the risk reduction to 88% two weeks after receiving the booster.

    The vaccines are less likely to prevent symptomatic and asymptomatic infections that do not require hospitalization than they did for Delta.

    New infections in the U.S. were reported at 443,538 yesterday. Hospitalizations stood at 85,902, with a 14 day change of +25%. Deaths were down 4%. The total U.S. deaths was reported at 823,903.


    With gatherings for Christmas and New Year's Eve parties, and given the highly contagious nature of omicron, there is likely to be a hug spike in the coming days.

    There are a very large number of people who are guilty of negligent or voluntary manslaugter for their actions and words relating to the pandemic, though none will be formally charged with those felonies. Maybe they will be judged as culpable in the hereafter.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know shiller ratio isn't a timing tool. But 40 is nerve wracking.

    I didn't sell anything into year end in the end. Never felt right. The idea is still sitting there. Russell 2000 has such a different picture than the other two. Even if it had soared more.

    "guilty of negligent or voluntary manslaugter"
    Yep.
    I heard DeSantis is missing with possible covid. Turns out he wasn't. I don't wish people poorly. But I will wish for them, what they've done for others...



    ReplyDelete
  3. I made it on my trip. Been 3 days without new symptoms. So I'm probably in the clear. I was next to the only empty seat on the plane! Dumb luck. People wore masks. Properly over their noses. So that was the flight's mood. I'm not looking forward to the trip back. But it was necessary to come. It's been evident.
    We're only eating at restaurants with outside seating, wearing masks everywhere, washing hands. (Now that I think of it, that doesn't get mentioned much anymore, but still important.) We got handed a wipe on the way onto the plane, to clean up our seat.

    Water usage must be up. Too bad water utilities aren't a great way to play that.

    ---

    Those are impressive numbers. The risk of serious being so much less with Omicron. At least with vaccines. But the breakthrus are higher.

    ---

    My big discovery is that the stockmarket is open 9:30 to 4pm EASTERN standard time.

    Turns out the market opens very early on the west coast! And by 1pm you're done for the day. No wonder extended hours got started.

    Happy New Year. I was in bed before it came. Might not be my usual, but last year was so what it was (poor for nearly everyone I know), it wasn't worth being happy / celebrating.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Land: The medical advisor for the International Air Transport Association, David Powell, claims that aircraft passengers are at least twice as likely to be infected during flight compared to the previous variants.

      https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-22/omicron-at-least-doubles-risk-of-getting-infected-on-a-plane

      On a more positive note, omicron may be the beginning of the pandemic's end, as being so highly transmissible as to cause herd immunity among the unvaccinated and more immunity for those who are fully vaccinated.

      Delete
  4. Not exactly a reassuring idea, now that I'm here. Before coming, I'd seen a doctor on CNN or NewsNation discuss the risks. He said it's 2xs as much with Omicron - but on a plane that still makes it very low. They replace cabin air every 30 mins. The filtration Hepa system is excellent too. It's safer than a grocery store.

    Doesn't matter. I could come now and keep him company (my parents met new year's eve) and be supportive, or come a few weeks later for a rescue mission. And I'd promised.

    The article has a lot of helpful upbeat ideas for current plane travel, as well as the rest of the info.

    If Omicron is the beginning of the end, that would be wonderful. It's a side benefit, if there's natural selection of voters.



    ReplyDelete
  5. The ten year treasury yield rose 11+ basis points today and that change impacted the performance of several stock sectors. The Stock Jocks may be giving this move as more important than it is, as a practical matter, given the FED's decision to raise the FF rate and to end QE.

    The regional bank ETF KRE closed with 1.86% gain compared to the S & P 500 at .64%.
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/fund/kre?mod=over_search

    Bond like stock sectors were pressured down:

    Vanguard Real Estate ETF
    $115.10 -0.91 -0.78%
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/fund/vnq?mod=over_search

    Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF
    $45.90 -0.42 -0.91%
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/fund/futy?mod=over_search

    Large banks generally performed better than small banks. 2.12

    JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    $161.70 +3.35 +2.12% +https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/jpm?mod=over_search

    Bank of America +3.8%
    Citigroup +4.49%

    I have small ball positions in BAC and JPM but none in C.

    Covid beneficiary stocks were down, which was in line with the travel stocks being up as the Stock Jocks expressed an opinion that Omicron was nothing to worry about and may even turn out to be a good thing longer term.

    DGX -5.01%
    HOLX - 4.52%
    MRNA - 7.5%
    PFE -4.06%
    RCL + 5.11%
    EXPE +2.35%
    DAL +3.1%
    CCL +6.41%

    It is premature IMO to dismiss omicron's potential adverse impacts on the U.S. economy including GDP growth, employment and inflation.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ""Covid beneficiary stocks were down, which was in line with the travel stocks being up as the Stock Jocks expressed an opinion that Omicron was nothing to worry about and may even turn out to be a good thing longer term. ""


    Could this be a sign of exuberance in later stages of market cycles?

    Everyone getting some variant of Omicron is not necessarily going to top this pandemic. Spanish flu started with one. Died down. Then mutated into the one that was really deadly.

    So one needs to assess based at least on how this variant is effecting. So far everyone I know if hunkering down. Except a few people that'd made non-reversible plans in the lull.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Land: It was the second wave of the Spanish Flu that created the huge death count, but that was later in 1918 soon after the initial outbreak. Almost all of the deaths occurred in 1918 with minor outbreaks in January 1919 and again in the Spring of 1920.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu

      The Covid virus IMO has proven its ability to mutate and survive longer than other viruses. So I do not believe there is an historical parallel for Covid. That leaves me unwilling to assume that anyone has a fact based prediction on how it will evolve.

      The current worldwide estimated death count is at 5.41M with the U.S. having by far the largest number of deaths. The U.S. and world totals probably undercount the number of deaths by a very large number. undercount.

      I am for the most part seeing no effort to socially distance or to wear masks in my geographic area.

      I suspect that anyone who is unvaccinated and is not a hermit will catch omicron and most of them will transmit it to others.

      Delete
    2. Those are good points. I hadn't realized the spanish flu did it's 2nd wave that quickly compared to this.

      I road an open outdoor tram yesterday, with full breeze, masked. Masks were required. Two people got off in a huff. (So let them walk...)

      East coast snow seems to be helping the hermitage. I've gotten a bunch of "Closed today" emails.

      The market pattern isn't the gradual wall of worry steps any more. Unstable VIX is in full effect. I suppose that rules out the last stage that's euphoric, and just leaves uncertainty.

      Delete
  7. The U.S. reported 1,082,549 new Covid cases yesterday.

    https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/04/us-counts-over-1-million-new-daily-covid-cases-in-global-record-.html

    The ten year treasury yield continues to move higher in early morning trading and is currently up about 4 basis points to 1.67%.

    That movement is providing a tailwind for bank stocks.

    SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF
    $74.01 +$1.84 +2.55%
    Last Updated: Jan 4, 2022 at 10:11 a.m. EST
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/fund/kre?mod=over_search

    Regional bank stocks are my largest current sector exposure which is more of an informed guess than an actual calculation.

    I probably need to spend some time collecting the share data from all of my accounts since I have no idea of the total amount or even an approximate dollar exposure. There are a large number of positions, mostly 100 shares or less, with many stocks held in multiple accounts.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The Stock Jocks are responding to the interest rate rise today, much as they have done, at least temporarily, in the past.

    High multiple growth stocks are declining with value stock ETFs up.

    Vanguard Growth ETF
    $317.73 -$5.36 -1.66%
    Last Updated: Jan 4, 2022 at 12:45 p.m. EST
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/fund/vug?mod=over_search

    Vanguard Value ETF (VTV)
    $149.66 +$ 1.94 +1.31%

    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/fund/vtv?mod=over_search

    I read an article earlier today that Byron Wien predicted that value stocks will outperform growth this year, with the S & P 500 providing no return.

    My stock portfolio is heavily tilted toward what I view as value stocks, which has always been the case. The Stock Jocks have taken a shine to my stocks today.

    Having convinced themselves that the pandemic is just about over, the Stock Jocks are taking the Covid beneficiary stocks down again with the exception of the mini cap CODX, focused just on what I own, which completed its acquisition of
    Idaho Molecular Inc. and Advanced Conceptions, Inc. on 12/31/21 as planned:

    Co-Diagnostics Inc.
    $9.88 +$0.57 +6.11%
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/codx?mod=over_search

    GNL, which is my largest REIT position, declared its regular quarterly dividend of $.40 per share:

    Global Net Lease Inc.
    $15.92 +$0.39 +2.51%
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/gnl?mod=over_search

    I added to my position by buying 1,000 shares shortly before the last ex dividend date.

    GNL is not my largest position among equity REITs because I have a high opinion of it. It is externally managed and the chart reveals some hatred of it among investors who count. The reasons for having it as my largest equity REIT position are valuation, using P/AFFO, and the dividend yield being over 10% and covered by AFFO.

    The company owns a lot of real estate in Europe and was knocked down in price recently IMO based on Omicron concerns.

    The Stock Jocks have recently substantially lessened their concerns about this variant's economic impact, though the consensus opinion could turn on dime, and GNL has consequently moved up some since hitting an intraday lows of $13.93 and $13.78 on 12/20/21 and 12/1/21 respectively.

    Omicron was reported by South Africa as a new variant on 11/24/21.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Value stocks haven't been the winning play for years. So that prediction leaves me with doubts. Either growth wins, or everything pulls back and value loses the least, imho.

      But they are my idea of good stocks, especially approaching retirement for the divs in this environment, where growth is less concern than capital preservation.

      11/24/21?
      It feels so much longer. Five weeks worth of info.

      On the plus side, climate change like vaccinates require belief in science. So those who don't, & stop voting, are helping all of us that way too.

      Delete
    2. Land: There is a list of 23 dividend stocks in a Marketwatch article published today that pass a quality screen: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/23-dividend-stocks-that-can-pass-this-strict-quality-screen-11641304861?mod=home-page

      Of those 23, I own 16. I will discuss a 100 share buy of KMI ($15.89) in my next post along with adds to my AMCR position, two of the stocks mentioned in that article.

      There is always Darwin's law about survival of the fittest and that law has already culled a lot of people from the Trumpster herd.

      Trump may have told his followers to get a booster since he was starting to get worried that his base was shrinking too much from Covid related deaths.

      https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/20/politics/donald-trump-booster-shot-boos/index.html

      Delete
    3. The annual average total return over the past 5 years for VTV was 12.43% through yesterday and 27.04% for 1 year:

      https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/arcx/vtv/performance

      The average annual total return for VUG over the past 5 years was 24.75% and at 28.31% for 1 year.

      https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/arcx/vug/performance

      The out performance for growth is so large that I would personally be more comfortable, disregarding my naturally conservative, value oriented contrarian style, buying into value with new money rather than growth.

      Delete
    4. Value caught up this year. 27.04% value vs 28.31% growth.

      So value is getting attention again. And may next year.

      I'll have to check out those value stocks...!

      Interesting idea that Trump's finally figured out his comfortableness with not caring about his base... is catching up with him. It is, but it's interesting that he'd recognize it when someone told him. ... Probably with a colorful crayon drawing.

      It's amazing how this surreal game we're in includes deaths in the millions, so it can effect voting blocks, for real.

      ---

      A stop in Norstrom tonight. My dad kept saying he wanted to go shopping, let's go to Norstrom. He doesn't shop. He hadn't realized a shirt can sell for $1300. Well I don't know if they sell, but they have pretty tags with those prices. So off we went to Macy's. I haven't been buying their stock. Nordstrom had lots of organized merchandise wellstocked. Macy's was much less organized and a little sparse. It's been that way for a few years now. Though maybe their online setup is finally set up better and doing business.

      Delete
  9. I have published a new post that contains tables showing my currently owned regional bank stocks and my average cost per share.

    https://tennesseeindependent.blogspot.com/2020/08/regional-bank-basket-strategy.html

    This was a burdensome compilation given the number of stocks owned and the number of my accounts that held shares. In other words, I created the burden.

    My equity REIT basket may be close to the same dollar allocation. I plan to compile that data eventually and possibly other baskets.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have the wrong link to my recently published post.

      Correct link: Regional Bank Stock Basket as of 1/5/22

      https://tennesseeindependent.blogspot.com/2022/01/regional-bank-stock-basket-as-of-1522.html

      I dragged and dropped the link to my gateway post on the regional bank basket that has snapshots of my trades.

      Delete
  10. This is Kiplinger's opinion on omicron:

    "Expect the surge in infections by the omicron variant of COVID-19 to peak soon. Omicron has spread across the U.S., after starting in the Northeast in mid-December. But the fast rise may also mean the variant is short-lived. South Africa, where omicron originated and surged in late November, saw a peak and a rapid decline in infections after three weeks. It has been almost three weeks since the omicron surge began in the U.S."

    Sent in email with link that doesn't go with it:
    https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/retirement-planning/604022/a-2022-guide-to-key-dates-for-retirees

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Land: I am not confident that omicron infections will peak in mid-January.

      Many infections will go unreported, particularly among republicans who have refused any vaccinations and tests, until they are hospitalized and need oxygen to breathe and the hospital tests for Covid and confirms its presence.

      Daily new infections may average over a million a day through February with a large percentage going unreported.

      The hospitalization daily average was reported by the NYT at 105,139, up 51% using a 14 day change.

      https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html

      Some hospitals are reporting that almost all new patients are there because of Covid infections.

      This highly contagious variant will cause more havoc in supply chains and renewed inflationary pressures resulting therefrom.

      One doctor who has been on the front lines since the beginning notes the differences between those who are unvaccinated and those with vaccinations.


      https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/how-does-omicron-affect-the-fully-vaccinated-heres-what-this-nyc-er-doctor-says/3476817/

      "Wastewater samples reveal record levels of coronavirus across U.S."
      https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wastewater-samples-reveal-record-levels-covid-19-us-rcna10451

      Delete
  11. The decline today was due to another rise in interest rates and a FED continuing to signal an end to its preposterous monetary policies given the current inflation rate.

    The decline gained momentum into the close and started after the FED released the minutes from its mid-December meeting:

    https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomcminutes20211215.htm


    In addition to its previous signals that it intended to start raising the FF rate and to end purchases of treasuries and mortgage backed securities, several FED members expressed a desire to actually reduce the bloated balance sheet that was over $8.7 trillion based on the last report.

    The selloff was probably triggered by this sentence in the minutes:

    "Some participants also noted that it could be appropriate to begin to reduce the size of the Federal Reserve's balance sheet relatively soon after beginning to raise the federal funds rate."

    FED Balance Sheet Trends:

    https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/bst_recenttrends.htm

    The minutes do contain a statement that, for now,
    the FED will "roll over at auction all principal payments from the Federal Reserve's holdings of Treasury securities and reinvest all principal payments from the Federal Reserve's holdings of agency debt and agency MBS in agency MBS."

    After QE is ended, the balance sheet can be reduced simply by refraining from buying securities as ones mature.

    Given the huge federal budget deficits that have to be financed with new bonds, treasuries will be in abundant supply when the FED quits buying and allows its portfolio to run off.

    We will then see how much appetite exists to soak up that supply without a meaningful increase in yields, as a practical matter and considering the current and anticipated inflation rates, which has not happened yet.

    A meaningful rise in the 10 year trend would be from the current 1.71% to about 4.5%, an historically justified number based on the currently projected annual average inflation rate of 2.53% over the next 10 years (breakeven inflation rate in the 10 YEAR TIP based on today's closing yields)

    I reduced my electric utility positions today, primarily in my Roth IRA accounts.

    As previously discussed here many times, I have had difficulty generating much interest in those stocks given their relatively low yields and high P/Es, using history as a guide and I have a long memory going back to the 1970s as an investor in that sector.

    If interest rates are going to pop now and rise persistently rather than do another belly flop after a temporary and spike higher from one historically low number to a less abnormally low one, as has been the case starting 2013, I will lose what little interest that I have been able to muster pretty quick.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. INTC and WMT liked the news. Up 1.76% & 1.54%

      If the Fed changes tunes, it's a game changer. That said, I'll wait to see if it takes real hold. Someone's going to jawbone to stop any decline.

      Delete
    2. Considered sell off 15 of 16 INTCs but now that it's green, I'll wait. It's just past ex-div date so there isn't need to hold.

      Delete
  12. My stock sector allocations kept me comfortably in the green today, notwithstanding the late session selloff in the major indexes.

    The sector that has recently been working the best for me are regional bank stocks and financials in general which includes life insurance stocks and large Canadian banks.

    SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE)
    $76.52 +$2.79 (+3.78%)
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/fund/kre?mod=over_search

    I published earlier this week an updated table of regional bank stock positions. Two of the stocks in that list, PBCT and ISBC, on in the late stages of being acquired by MTB and CFG, which are also owned. The PBCT acquisition is an all stock deal so its price will move in tandem with MTB that closed up +$6.64 today or +4.02%.

    CFG's acquisition of ISBC is for stock and cash. Each ISBC share receives .297 CFG and $1.46 in cash.

    CFG closed up 5.53%.

    The energy sector, including pipeline stocks, has been positive on down days like today.

    Fidelity MSCI Energy Index ETF
    $16.53 +$0.39 +2.42%
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/fund/feny?mod=over_search

    My largest percentage gainer in the E & P sector was CNQ:

    Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
    $45.74 +$2.38 +5.49%
    https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/cnq?mod=over_search

    My other E & P stocks were up as well. Those include BP, CVX, RDS/B, SU, and XOM.

    So far I would characterize the recent rally in energy stocks to be a cyclical bull market occurring in a long term bear market that started in 2014. Time will tell whether the move is the start of a longer term bull market.

    Most of my consumer staples gained today (e.g. CLX, CL, FLO, K, KHC, NOMD, REYN) I will be discussing GIS in my next post.

    Equity REIT stocks were mixed with the Vanguard REIT ETF up $.10.

    My BDC stocks were mostly fractionally (ARCC, FDUS, FSK, OFS, ORCC, PSEC, SCM, SLRC, SUNS)

    What contributed most perhaps to a decent day was owning almost nothing in the high multiple growth type stocks and even most of the minor positions have been sold (e.g. CRM)

    ReplyDelete
  13. From a person I've found reliable.

    "New data from University of Maryland Medical System shows that over the last 30 days, 74 percent of its hospitalized COVID cases were unvaccinated patients and 24 percent were fully vaccinated. However, only 2 percent were boosted. "

    From someone commenting to that, whom I don't know:

    "Why won't you post the Israeli hospitalization results I sent? As soon as Delta evaporates in 2-3 weeks all we will have is omicron, which is milder and less deadly than the common flu. Vaccines and boosters aren't helpful with omicron so we shouldn't be placing trust in them any more and we certainly don't need to recommend anyone get them now that the virus is moving into the endemic stage. This pandemic is winding down and we should all celebrate! I studied under Dr. Fauci at NIH so I know what to look for and omicron is the grande finale. We would be wise to tell people who want to avoid omicron for whatever reason that they should quarantine in place and protect the elderly and infirm. Those that want to gain natural immunity with very few symptoms can move around freely and acquire omicron if they wish to gain natural immunity. That is the best plan for now no matter what anyone says."

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have published a new post:

    https://tennesseeindependent.blogspot.com/2022/01/amcr-amkby-bdn-clpr-colb-fbiox-gis-jri.html

    ReplyDelete