Economy:
The BLS reported last Friday that the economy added 227,000 jobs in November. "The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for September was revised up by 32,000, from +223,000 to +255,000, and the change for October was revised up by 24,000, from +12,000 to +36,000. With these revisions, employment in September and October combined is 56,000 higher than previously reported."
Average hourly earnings rose by 13 cents or of .4% to $35.61. Average hourly earnings rose 4% over the 12 months ending in November. The unemployment rate was 4.2%. The U-6 number rose .1% to 7.8%. Table A-15. Alternative measures of labor underutilization - 2024 M11 Results
The increase in annual average hourly earnings is greater than the 2.7% annual CPI increase discussed below.
Discussed at Jobs report November 2024.
The Fed is on course to cut interest rates in December, but what happens next is anyone's guess I am in agreement with some economists cited in this article that the FED needs to refrain from cutting rates again at the 12/18 meeting.
The CPI inflation report for November released last Wednesday indicates IMO that inflation is still too high for another rate cut that the economy does not currently need IMO.
The FED is nonetheless expected to cut the FF range by 25 basis points on 12/18. The odds are currently close to 100% using the CME FedWatch tool. CME FedWatch - CME Group
Earlier today, the European Central Bank lowered its benchmark rate .25% to 3%.
November CPI Compared to October CPI: Consumer Price Index Summary - 2024 M11 Results
Annual CPI: 2.7%, up from 2.6%
Annual Core CPI: 3.3%, unchanged
Month-to-Month CPI: .3%, up from .2%
Month-to-Month Core CPI: .3%, unchanged
Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U. S. city average, by detailed expenditure category - 2024 M11 Results (Owners equivalent rent, weighted at 27.093 in CPI, was up 4.9% over the 12 month period but the month-to-month increase declined to .2% from .4%)
The Fed Beige Book November 2024 "Economic activity rose slightly in most Districts. Three regions exhibited modest or moderate growth that offset flat or slightly declining activity in two others. . . . Consumer spending was generally stable. Many consumer-oriented businesses across Districts noted further increases in price sensitivity among consumers, as well as several reports of increased sensitivity to quality . . Employment levels were flat or up only slightly across Districts. Hiring activity was subdued as worker turnover remained low and few firms reported increasing their headcount. The level of layoffs was also reportedly low. . . . Wage growth softened to a modest pace across most Districts, as did expectations for wage growth in coming months. . . . Prices rose only at a modest pace across Federal Reserve Districts. Both consumer-oriented and business-oriented contacts reported greater difficulty passing costs on to customers. Input prices were said to be rising faster than selling prices for most businesses, resulting in declining profit margins".
China's exports and imports miss expectations in November as economic worries deepen(12/9/24)
Who would pay for Trump's promised tariffs? You will! - CBS News (12/8/24) Trump claims that foreign countries will pay his tariff tax. The republicans have found a way for their supporters, who do not pay a federal income tax, to pay a federal tax that will be $1,000-$1,500 annually per household and they will not even know that Trump has imposed that tax on them.
+++
Allocation Shifts Discussed in this Post:
Treasury Bills Purchased at Auction: $25,000 in principal amount
Corporate Bonds: $10,000 in principal amount
Outflow Common Stocks: -$166.71
(consisting of $1,209.84 proceeds minus $1,043.13 in purchases)
Outflow Stock Fund: -$94.08
Net Outflow Stocks/Stock Funds: -$260.79
Outflow Loan/Bond CEF (FSCO): -$135.69
2024 Net Outflow Stocks/Stock Funds: -$69,361.09
The actual outflow will be several thousand dollars higher since I do not discuss all of my trades
November 2024 Treasury Yield Curve:
November 2024 Treasury Real Yield Rates
Chart 5 Year Breakeven Inflation Rate: 5-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate -St. Louis Fed
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Miscellaneous Portfolio Matters:
I am now taking the annual dividend paid by the Permanent Portfolio (PRPFX) in cash.
$265.86 |
Taking mutual fund dividends in cash is an alternative to selling shares.
I did reinvest prior annual dividends, including the one paid in 2023, see Item # 5.C.
I am not likely to buy more shares.
This mutual fund will maintain close to a 25% allocation to gold and silver bullion (27.27% as of 7/31/24) and significant allocations to U.S. treasuries and investment grade corporate bonds. SEC Filed Semiannual Report for the period ending 7/31/24 at page 2.
Realized PRPFX Gains to Date: $899.1 (snapshots in Item # 3.J)
Current PRPFX Position: 237+ shares with a $40.96 AC per share.
*
FTS-PM.TO: The Canadian reset equity preferred stock FTSPRM:CA, issued by the utility holding company Fortis, reset its coupon for 5 years at 5.493% paid on a C$25 par value. That coupon remains in effect until 12/1/29. The coupon resets every 5 years, unless called on the reset date, at a 2.48% spread to the Canadian 5 year government bond.
The new annual dividend is C$1.37325 per share paid in quarterly installments. I own 200 shares with a C$16.01 average cost per share. The dividend yield is now at 8.58%. Item # 5.A. Added to FTSPRM:CA - Bought 50 at C$17.73 (3/6/23 Post);Item # 2.B. Bought 50 FTS.PRM at C$12.4 (5/23/20 Post); Item # 3.A. Bought 50 FTS.PRM at C$16.28 (3/14/20 Post); Item # 2.A. Bought 50 FTSPRM:CA at C$17.55 (11/23/2019 Post)
While the yield at my total cost is satisfactory to me, I still have to consider the likely negative impact on price resulting from a persistent rise in intermediate term interest rates. This is not so much an issue when the next reset date is relatively close, 1 year or less, but is a total return issue when the last reset was a relatively low coupon for an equity preferred stock with several years until the next reset.
*
Early Redemption of 4 Lazard SU notes:
++++
1. Small Ball Buys:
I am discussing below some small ball adds in packaged food stocks which have recently been poor investments due to a variety of headwinds including (1) a rapid rise in input cost inflation caused these companies to raise prices that hurt demand; (2) competition from lower cost private label brands that intensified as packaged food companies had to rapidly raise prices in 2021-2023 just to offset input cost increases, (3) more consumers avoiding packaged foods based on concerns about ingredients and (4) the more recent concerns that RFK Jr. will do something that will crack down of what these companies put in their products.
General Mills Inc. (GIS) is my largest package food position, but I have knocked that down to 35 shares through selling my highest cost lots. GIS responded early to health related concerns by moving into the organic food category and has rapidly increased its exposure to pet food and treats through a series of acquisitions starting with Blue Buffalo in 2018. General Mills Completes Acquisition of Blue Buffalo Pet Products (4/24/24). This is press release discussing the most recent acquisition: General Mills Advances Accelerate Strategy with Acquisition of Whitebridge Pet Brands’ North American Premium Cat Feeding and Pet Treating Business. Other acquisitions are listed in that press release
A. Added to KHC - Bought 5 at $30.69:
Quote: Kraft Heinz Co.
Cost: $143.45
KHC Analyst Estimates | MarketWatch
Investment Category: Bond Substitute
New Average cost per share: $32.59 (45 shares)
Dividend: Quarterly at $.40 per share, slashed from $.625 effective for the 2019 first quarter payment.
Yield at New AC: 4.91%
Last Ex Dividend: 11/29/24
Last Earnings Report (F/Q ending 9/28/24): I discussed this report here: Item # 2.C. Added to KHC - Bought 10 at $31 (11/27/24 Post); SEC Filed Earnings Press Release
Last Sell Discussion: Item # 2.I. Eliminated Duplicate Position in KHC - Sold 6 at $35.48 - Fidelity Account (8/8/24 Post)
B. Restarted CPB with a 2 Share Buy at $42.71:
Quote: Campbell Soup Co.
Cost: $85.42
Brands include Campbell's (soup), Cape Cod, Goldish, Kettle Brand, Lance, Pace, Pacific Foods, Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Rao's, Snyder's of Hanover and V8.
CPB Analyst Estimates | MarketWatch
Recent Divestiture: The most recent significant divestiture was to sell the Pop Secret popcorn brand which CPB expected to be dilutive to fiscal 2025 earnings by about $.04 per share. Campbell Sells Pop Secret Business to Our Home (8/26/24)
Last Discussed: Item # 1.I. Eliminated CPB - Sold 5 at $49.86 (5/19/22 Post)(profit snapshot = $43.29)
Last Buy Discussion: Item # 1.D. Bought 2 CPB at $41.65; 1 at $40.4; 2 at $40.15 (11/11/21 Post)
Dividend: Quarterly at $.39 per share ($1.56 annually), last raised from $.37 effective for the 2025 first quarter payment. In the 2015 first quarter, the dividend was at $.312.
Yield at $42.71: 3.65%
Next Ex Dividend: 1/2/25
Last Earnings Report (Q/E 10/27/24): This is for the first fiscal quarter.
Revenues: $2.772B, up from $2.518B, but down 1% on an organic basis. Revenues benefited from the acquisition of Savos Brands that was completed in March 2024.
E.P.S. = $.72
Adjusted E.P.S. = $.89, down from $.91.
GAAP to Non-GAAP
Adjusted E.P.S. Guidance for fiscal 2025: $3.12-$3.22 which includes a full year of the noosa yogurt sales
Other Sell Discussions: Item 3.B. Sold 5 CPB at $41.07 (8/26/18 Post)(profit snapshot $38.97); Item # 3 Sold 50 CPB at $41 (8/5/18 Post)(profit snapshot = $117.18); Item # 3 Sold 50+ CPB at $49.73+(11/20/17 Post)(profit snapshot = $43.21); Item # 3 Sold 70 CPB at $35.79 (9/8/2010 Post)(profit snapshot = $714.84)
CPB Realized Gains to Date: $914.13
Enthusiasm Level: Vaguely observable but intermittently present.
I have profitably traded CPB so far but most of the profit was realized in a 2010 sell with the purchases during the 2009 market crash.
I do not view CPB as a long term hold, as proven so far by a long term chart and meagre dividend growth over the past ten years. Note that I sold 50+ shares in 2017 at $49.73 and just bought 2 shares at $42.71.
Other Recent SU note offerings: Prospectus
I mention this note offering just to highlight that refinancing cost is at higher rates.
Use of Proceeds Section: CPB intends to "use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes in this offering to repay existing indebtedness including, but not limited to, commercial paper, our 3.95% Senior Notes due March 2025 and our 3.30% Senior Notes due March 2025 (collectively, the “2025 Notes”) or the amounts outstanding on the delayed draw term loan credit agreement due November 2025 (the “DDTL Credit Agreement”) and for general corporate purposes."
Owned SU Bond: 2 of the 3.95% SU maturing on 3/15/25 which is referenced in the previous quote.
C. Added to NTST - Bought 5 at $15.7; 5 at $15.45:
Cost: $155.73
New Average cost per share: $16 (30 shares)
Dividend: Quarterly at $.21 per share
Yield at $16: 5.25%
Last Ex Dividend: 12/2/24
Last Discussed: Item # 2.A. Started NTST - Bought 10 at $16.43; 10 at $16 (12/5/24 Post) I discussed the last earnings report in that post as well as my primary concern about this REIT. SEC Filed Press Release
D. Added to GSBD - Bought 5 at $13:
Quote: Goldman Sachs BDC Inc. (GSBD)
Cost: $65
Management: External
SEC Filed 2023 Annual Report (Risk factor summary starts at page 29 and ends at page 63)
Last Discussed: Item # 1.D. Added to GSBD - Bought 5 at $13.51 (11/4/23 Post)
New Average cost per share: $13.71 (20 shares)
Snapshot Intraday on 12/9/24 after add |
Dividend: Quarterly at $.45 per share ($1.8 annually)
GSBD Dividend History | Seeking Alpha
Yield at New AC: 13.13%
Next Ex Dividend: 12/31/24 (pay date on 1/27/24)
Net Asset Value per share: I view this history as poor.
9/30/24: $13.54
12/31/23: $14.62
9/30/23: $14.61 (this was the last reported NAV when I made my last purchase at $13.51)
6/30/23 $14.59
3/31/23 $14.44
12/31/22 $14.61
12/31/21 $15.92
12/31/20 $16.75
12/31/19 $16.75
12/31/18 $17.65
12/31/17 $18.09
12/31/16 $18.31
12/31/15 $18.97
IPO at $20 (March 2015): Prospectus (proceeds at $19.64 before internal expenses)
Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/24):
NII per share: $.58
Adjusted NII per share: $.57
Investments on non-accrual "amounted to 2.2% and 4.5% of the total investment portfolio at fair value and amortized cost respectively".
Weighted Average Yield of Investments at amortized cost = 11.8% (13.9% at fair value, which has the mark down on values)
Net realized loss on investments: $83.796M and at $131.446M for 9 months (excludes currency) Goldman Sachs is supposed to be among the less destructive Masters of Disaster.
Company assessment of credit risks:
10-Q for the Q/E 9/30/24, page 67,
Percent of performing debt at floating rate: 99.4%
The coupons on floating rate loans, priced at spreads to short term rates, will reset at lower rates as the Fed cuts the FF rate.
Companies Estimate of Impact on Net Investment Income From Changes in Interest Rates.
10-Q at page 77 |
Goal: Any total return in excess of the dividends payment before any ROC adjustment to the tax cost basis.
Purchase Restriction: Averaging down only in 5 or 10 share lots with each subsequent purchase required to be at the lowest price in the chain.
Maximum Position: 100 shares
E. Added to DOW - Bought 1 at $41.99; 2 at $41.53:
Chemical stocks are in a falling knife mode which I have been discussing in prior posts and in comments.
Recent presentations at an investor conference, as previously discussed, confirmed that weak demand had continued into the 4th quarter. I am now in a 2 share buy mode for Dow and will continue buying in 2 share lots provided each subsequent purchase is at the lowest price in the chain.
Two Year Chart: Bear Market Trend with no bottom forming yet (double top formation in 2/2023 and April/May 2024; failed reversal of downtrend in September 2024)
Short Position as of 11/29: 15.4M shares
New Average cost per share = $47.93 (18+ shares)
Dividend: Dividend at $.70 per share ($2.8) annually.
I do not view the dividend as safe.
I am reinvesting the dividend and will continue doing so as long as the likely reinvestment price lowers my average cost per share.
Last Ex Dividend: 11/29/24 (owned 13+ as of)
Last Discussed: Item # 2.D. Added to DOW - Bought 1 at $43.99; 1 at $42.59 (12/5/24 Post)
Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/24): I discussed this report here: Item #2.G. Added to DOW - Bought 2 at $48.39; 1 at $47.82 (11/7/24 Post); SEC Filed Press Release
Last Elimination: Item # 1.B. Eliminated DOW in 2 Taxable Accounts - Sold 5 at $59.71; 8 at $60.02 (2/13/23 Post)(profit snapshots = $54.14)
My Consider to sell highest cost lots: >$60
I will need to patient.
F. Restarted ABBV - Bought 1 at $177.17; 1 at $173.9 -Schwab Account:
Quote: AbbVie Inc.
Cost: $251.09
ABBV Analyst Estimates | MarketWatch The estimates are obviously non-GAAP. As of 12/11/24, the average E.P.S. estimate for 2024 was at $11.24; at $12.21 in 2025 and at $13.35 in 2026. If I used a 15 multiple applied to the $12.21 estimate for 2025, the price would be $183.15. For ABBV, based on what I know now, I would use a 13 to 17 multiple as a fair value range which is just an opinion.
Website: AbbVie
Pipeline - Our Science | AbbVie
Key Products Sales 2024 Third Quarter:
Through its acquisition of Allergan in 2020, AbbVie acquired Botox, Juvederm, Vraylar, Ubrelvy and Quilipta. This acquisition IMO worked for AbbVie shareholders. AbbVie Completes Transformative Acquisition of Allergan - May 8, 2020
The Imbruvica sales decline was due to AZN's competing drug Calguence. The sales of Imbruvica will decline in response to be included in the first round of Medicare price cuts which will take effect in 2026. Ibrutinib Costs Drop 38% Under Medicare Price Negotiations
Last Elimination: Item #6.K. Eliminated ABBV - Sold 1 at $145.84; 2 at $144.13; and 1.506 at $144.46 (11/8/22 Post)(profit snapshot = $181.01)
Last Buy Discussion: Item # 1.G. Added to ABBV - Bought 1 at $103.25 (2/27/21 Post)
I have mixed opinions about ABBV developments since I last discussed this company in 2022.
The decline in Humira sales was expected due to generic competition and that is a big problem. In the third quarter, global Humira sales decreased 37.2% to $2.227B, with U.S. sales falling 41.6% to $1.7765B.
It was comforting to see that the two new approved drugs, Skyrizzi and Rinvoq, have clearly moved into blockbuster status. I had some doubts that this would happen back in 2022 given the black box warning label for Rinvoq. FDA's new JAK safety restrictions spell trouble for AbbVie's Rinvoq, but to what extent? | Fierce Pharma (9/2/21) So, if that was all there was, I would have bought 5 shares.
However, a major negative development has recently occurred relating to ABBV's recently closed acquisition of Cerevel Therapeutics. AbbVie Completes Acquisition of Cerevel Therapeutics - Aug 1, 2024 The acquisition was for $45 per share or about $8.7B in cash.
The centerpiece of that acquisition was the schizophrenia drug enraclidine which had shown promise in a phase 1 trial.
Shortly after the acquisition was finalized, ABBV reported that a somewhat larger patient Phase 2 trial failed to meet its primary endpoints. AbbVie Provides Update on Phase 2 Results for Emraclidine in Schizophrenia - Nov 11, 2024
The stock closed at $199.50 before this announcement and at $174.43 the next trading day or $25.07 per share. Using the share count of 1.771B as of 9/30/24, the $25.07 per share decline amounted to $44.398+B. This seemed an extreme reaction to me. The trial failure does indicate that ABBV paid far too much for a company whose main drug was in a treatment area that is littered with failures and had only completed a small phase 1 trial.
Other Recent Developments: This looked promising to me with the usual caveat that I have zero training and book learning in this area. Two Data Analyses From Clinical Trials Show Epcoritamab (DuoBody® CD3xCD20) Induces Durable Complete Responses As Monotherapy and Combination Treatment in Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma - Dec 9, 2024 The trials so far have a small number of patients.
Genmab A/S ADR (GMAB); GMAB | Genmab A/S ADR Analyst Estimates | MarketWatch I have bought 5 shares as a Lotto and discuss this purchase in Item # Te in
"Epcoritamab (approved under the brand name EPKINLY in the U.S. and Japan, and TEPKINLY in the EU) has received regulatory approval in certain lymphoma indications in several territories. Use of epcoritamab + R-CHOP in first-line DLBCL is not approved in the U.S. or in the EU or in any other territory. The safety and efficacy of epcoritamab for use as a combination therapy in DLBCL have not been established. . . . "
This drug had $43M in revenues in the third quarter, up from $13.4M in the 2023 third quarter.
R-Chop: Combination of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone
DLBCL: Diffuse large B-Cell Lymphoma
FDA approval was in May 2023: FDA approval of Epkinly (epcoritamab-bysp) for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and high-grade B-cell lymphoma | FDA Sales apparently started in the 2023 4th quarter in the U.S.
AbbVie Announces European Commission Approval of TEPKINLY® (epcoritamab) for Adults with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma - Sep 25, 2023; TEPKINLY® (epcoritamab) Receives Second European Commission Approval for the Treatment of Adults with Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma - Genmab A/S
Average cost per share: $175.53 (2 shares)
Dividend: Quarterly at $1.64 per share ($6.46 annually), last raised from $1.55 per share effective for the 2025 first quarter payment. The quarterly rate was at $.42 per share in 2014.
ABBV Stock Dividend History & Date
Yield at $175.53: 3.737%
Next Ex Dividend: 1/15/25
Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/24):
GAAP E.P.S. = $.88
Non-GAAP E.P.S. = $3, up 1.7%
Both E.P.S. numbers include a negative impact of $.04 related to acquired IPR&D and milestone expenses.
It is common for drug companies that have engaged in acquisitions to have large differences between GAAP and Non-GAAP E.P.S. One of the largest adjustments will generally be intangible asset amortization, a non-cash charge, which was $1.6B for ABBV in the third quarter.
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation:
Analyst Reports (available to Schwab Customers):
Morningstar (12/2/24): 3 stars with a fair value estimate of $176. The analyst trimmed its estimate of Cerevel drug portfolio from more than $2B annually by 2033 to $500M. The analyst estimates that most of the $500M in revenues would be generated by Cerevel's early stage Parkinson's disease drug Tavapadon which had positive results from two stage 3 trials with another Phase 3 trials yet to report. The analyst increased the PT for BMY, which has an approved schizophrenia drug Cobenfy, to $66 from $63. I own 35+ BMY shares with a $54.37 average cost per share:
Price Intraday on 12/12/24 |
S&P (11/11/24): 3 stars with a $185 PT. The analyst downgraded the stock based on the schizophrenia drug trial results released on 11/11.
Argus (11/1/24): Upgraded to buy based on Skyrisi and Rinvoq revenue growth, price target at $220. The price was at $203.55 when the analyst issued this report.
G. Bought 10 GMAB at $21.74:
Quote: Genmab A/S ADR (GMAB)
Cost: $217.40
This is my first purchase. I came across this company when I was updating my research on ABBV.
ADR Ratio: 1 ADR = .1 Ordinary Share priced in Danish Krone (DKK)
DKK Quote: Genmab A/S (Denmark: OMX)
The ADR U.S. price will reflect the share price on Denmark's stock exchange converted into USDs and adjusted for the ADR Ratio. When I bought the ADR, the DKK price was at 1,543, down .87%. Converting DKK1,543 in USDs, the USD price was $217.2 which has to be divided by 10 given the ADR ratio or US$21.72.
52 Week ADR Range: $20.34-$21.78
Investment Category: Lottery Ticket Basket
This company has experience success in generating royalties as summarized below. The LT classification is based on my lack of knowledge about the potential revenue streams for two approved products discussed below or any pipeline drug. My "feeling" is that the royalty stream is already baked into the price and further gains will be dependent on matters that I have no ability to assess. With the lack of any dividend and that unresolvable uncertainty, the investment was categorized as a Lottery Ticket.
GMAB analyst Estimates | MarketWatch (as of 12/11/24, the average E.P.S. estimate is shown at $1.17 for 2024; $1.55 in 2025; and at $1.92 in 2026).
SEC Filings (foreign issuer forms)
Our medicines | Genmab The company has two approved drugs: Tivdak (U.S.) and Epkinly (U.S./Japan) and called Tepkinly in the EU. I discussed Epkinly in the the ABBV section above.
Tivdak® (tisotumab vedotin-tftv) | Official Patient Site;
FDA Grants Full Approval for TIVDAK® to Treat Recurrent or Metastatic Cervical Cancer | Pfizer This drug was co-developed with Seagen that was recently acquired by Pfizer. Accelerated approval was apparently granted in 2021. FDA grants accelerated approval to tisotumab vedotin-tftv for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer | FDA The EU has granted a temporary marketing authorization.
Genmab receives royalties for DARZALEX (daratumumab) marketed in the U.S. by Janssen Biotech and from Kesimpta (ofatumumab) marketed by Novartis.
Other royalties from approved drugs are included in this chart:
For the 3 months ending on 9/30/24, royalties paid to Genmab totaled DKK 4,694M (DKK4.694B) or about US$662.841+M, assuming I did the conversion right.
Royalties accounted for 84.73% of revenues for the quarter.
2. Small Ball Sells:
A. Pared CTO in Schwab Account - Sold 13 at $20.37:
Quote: CTO Realty Growth Inc. (CTO) - Externally Managed REIT
Proceeds: $264.83
I sold my highest cost lots.
Diluted Shares as of 9/30/24: 25,521,749
Using that share count and a price of $20.37, the market capitalization is about $519.7+M.
Properties as of 9/30/24:
Structured Investments as of 9/30/24: "Commercial Loans and Investments"
In Thousands: 10-Q at p.18 |
In the 2024 third quarter, CTO received $1.6M in interest from these investments. 10-Q at page 42.
Investment in Alpine Income Property Trust (PINE)
I owns PINE shares as well. {Last discussed: Item # 4.E. Pared PINE - Sold Highest Cost 15 Shares at $18.47 (8/29/24 Post)}
CTO "owns, in the aggregate,
PINE currently pays a quarterly dividend of $.28 per share.
Dividend income from this investment generated about $700K in the quarter. 10-Q at page 43.
Management Fees Paid By PINE (2024 3rd quarter): $1.1M, see 10-Q at page 42.
Last Buy Discussions: Item # 1.B. Added to CTO - Bought 5 in Schwab Account at $17.13 (5/10/24 Post); Item # 1.K. Added to CTO - Bought 1 at $16.49 (3/1/2024 Post); Item # 1.A. Added to CTO - Bought 15 at $17.2; 5 at $17.1 (12/16/23 Post)
Profit Snapshot: $12.89
New Average cost per share this account: $17.08 (97+ shares)
Snapshot Intraday on 12/5/23 - 1 Day after pare |
Dividend: Quarterly at $.38 per share ($1.52 annually)
CTO Stock Dividend History & Date
Yield at New AC per share this account: 9%
Last Ex Dividend: 12/12/24
Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/24):
SEC Filed Press Release; SEC Filed 2024 Third Q. Investor Presentation; and SEC Filed 2rd Quarter Supplemental
"During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company invested $273.8 million into five retail properties totaling 1.2 million square feet and one vacant land parcel, originated two first mortgage structured investments for $53.8 million, and invested $10.0 million in a preferred equity investment in a subsidiary of a publicly-traded hospitality, entertainment and real estate company. These investments represent a weighted average going-in cash yield of 9.1%."
AFFO per share: $.51, up from $.48
As with other U.S. equity REITs, the noncash depreciation expense is the largest add back to GAAP net income.
The next largest add back will be stock compensation which was $750,000 in the second quarter.
Changes in the value of CTO's stock owneship in PINE may be an add back (if there is an unrealized decline in value) or a deduction (if there is an unrealized increase in value). In the third quarter, there was an increase of $6.244M so that amount was deducted in the FFO calculation.
Gains on property sales will be deducted from GAAP in the FFO calculation, while losses on property sales will be an add back.
Non-cash revenue created by the straight line accounting convention, which was $473,000, is deduction from FFO in the AFFO calculation.
To arrive at core FFO available to common shareholders, the amount of the preferred dividend ($1.878M) is deducted from FFO to arrive at core FFO available to common shareholders. The preferred shareholders have a superior claim to cash compared to the common shareholders only.
2024 Revised AFFO per share guidance: $1.96 to $2.0
Sold during the quarter 6,851,375 common shares at a weighted average price of $18.63 and received net proceeds of $125.7M, a significant percentage of the current market capitalization.
During the quarter, CTO sold 15,844 shares of its preferred series A stock at a weighted average price of $23.22.
Both the common and preferred stock sales were under an ATM program.
Other Sell Discussions: Item # 3.H. Sold 10 CTO at $19.72 (11/7/24 Post)(loss snapshot = -$13.48); Item # 3.H. Pared Duplicate Position in CTO - Sold 5 at $19.36 in Fidelity Account (10/24/24 Post)(profit snapshot = $6.11); Item # 1.B. Sold 10 CTO at $19.34 and Item # 1.C. Eliminated CTO Position in Vanguard Account - Sold 25 at $19.98 (8/2/24 Post)(profit snapshot = $19.94)
Stock Split: 3 for 1 in 2022.
CTO Equity Preferred Stock: I also own the $25 par value equity preferred stock, CTO-PA, that has a 6.375% coupon. My AC per share is $18.89. {Last Discussed: Item #2.C. Added to CTOPRA - Bought 3 at $17.77 (11/11/23 Post); Item # 1.A. Bought 5 CTOPRA at $18.5; 2 at $17.8 (9/30/23 Post)}
B. Pared RITM - Sold 26+ at $11.19:
I sold my highest cost lots using the specific identification cost method. That is what the "S" stands for in the following snapshot.
Proceeds: $300.28
"Rithm Capital is a global asset manager focused on real estate, credit and financial services. Rithm makes direct investments and operates several wholly-owned operating businesses. Rithm’s businesses include Sculptor Capital Management, Inc., an alternative asset manager, as well as Newrez LLC and Genesis Capital LLC, leading mortgage origination and servicing platforms."
Website: Rithm | Home
Last Buy Discussions: Item # 1.L. Added to RITM - Bought 5 at $9.18 (11/4/23 Post); Item # 2.B. Added to RITM - Bought 5 at $10.04; 5 at $9.63 (9/30/23 Post)
Last Sell Discussion: Item # 4.A. Pared RITM - Sold 13 at $11.19 (3/28/24 Post)(profit snapshot = $14.95)
Profit Snapshot: $45.22
New Average cost per share: $7.95 (58+ shares)
Snapshot Intraday on 12/3/24 after pare |
I am likely to keep the remaining shares.
Dividend: Quarterly at $.25 per share
RITM Dividend History | Nasdaq
Yield at $7.95: 12.58%
Last Ex Dividend: 10/1/24 (owned all as of)
Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/24):
GAAP E.P.S. $.20
Non-GAAP E.P.S. ("funds available for distribution"): $.54
Reconciliation:
The addition to GAAP is related to the valuation of mortgage servicing rights (MSRs). The decline in interest rate in the third quarter lowered the value of MSRs while a rise in interest rates increased their value. It is my understanding that the MSR valuation models attempt to forecast mortgage prepayments. With rising rates, there will be fewer prepayments and consequently more future income from servicing the mortgages. Mortgage Rates Fuel Rise in Mortgage Servicing Right (MSR) Values - Wilary Winn
As with other hybrid REITs, like STWD which I also own, this REIT is far too complicated for me and consequently my investments will remain small. Risks will be managed and reduced over time by selling my highest cost shares for profits, no matter how small, and considering buying back shares when there is a share price meltdown as there was in 2020.
2023 SEC Filed Annual Report (Risk factor summary starts at page 16 and ends at page 69)
C. Eliminated Duplicate Position in HR - Sold 14+ at 18.10 (Schwab account):
Quote: Healthcare Realty Trust Inc. (HR)
Proceeds: $257.04
HR is a REIT that owns primarily medical office buildings located near hospitals.
Profit Snapshot: $56.05
Properties as of 9/30/24: 660
In Thousands |
Investment Category: Equity REIT Common and Preferred Stock Basket Strategy
Most of current HR position, held in my Fidelity account, originated from owning Healthcare Trust of America (HTA), not HR.
HR acquired HTA but HTA was the company that survived, a reverse merger. After the merger was consummated, the name of the surviving company was change to Healthcare Realty and the symbol changed from HTA to HR.
Prior to the closing, HTA paid its shareholders a special dividend of $4.82 per share. I owned 50 HTA shares and received a $241 cash payment, most of the payment was classified as ROC as I recall that reduced my tax cost basis.
As I have discussed many times, both HTA and HR during their separate existence failed to increase cash available for distribution (CAD) per share over a long period of time. (e.g., in Item # 1.H discussing legacy HTA; wherein I calculated the CAD per share in the 2021 3rd quarter at $.349; at $.377 in the 2020 third quarter and at $.344 in the 2016 3rd quarter or flat over a 5 year period. In Item # 2.A. discussing Legacy HR, I noted that the CAD per share was $.33 in the 2021 4th quarter and at $.31 in the 2012 4th quarter)
Prior posts contain the relevant data. I have discussed that history in prior posts.
Combining two entities who have proven an inability to increase CAD per share will not create one that can IMO.
This combination, which made no sense IMO, was the brainchild of hedge fund manager Paul Singer. Elliott Investment Management urges REIT Healthcare Trust of America to explore sale | Reuters (10/11/21)
I attribute the long term poor performance for both HR and HTA, measured on a CAD per share basis, to buying Medical Office Buildings at low capitalization rates, paying out almost all CAD to common shareholders, and raising capital to expand through expensive acquisitions by selling shares and acquiring more debt which has become more expensive to refinance over the past two years. Maybe that could be argued as being rational when financing costs were below or slightly above the inflation rate. But with rates returns to normalized levels above the anticipated inflation rate, the growth by acquisition strategy that involved buying properties with low capitalization rates was a long term losing one for shareholders.
Last Discussed: Item # 3.B. Eliminated HR in Schwab Account - Sold 5 at $19.09 (3/19/23 Post)
Dividend: Quarterly at $.31 per share
The dividend was not covered by cash available for distribution in the third quarter.
Last Ex Dividend: 11/12/24
Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/24):
SEC Filed Press Release and SEC Filed Supplemental
E.P.S. ($.26)
NAREIT Defined FFO: $.21
Normalized FFO: $.39
Funds Available for Distribution ("FAD", same as "CAD"): $106.928M
FAD Per Share: $.294 (Using weighted average shares of 363.37M)
Dividends Paid in 3rd Q: $113.77M
Reconciliation Net Income to FAD:
Maintenance CAPEX was $34.606M which is the only subtraction from Normalized FFO to arrive at FAD. Cash spent on routine maintenance is not available to support the dividend.
Debt: $4.957+B, see 10-Q at p. 17.
Some Legacy HTA Sell Discussions: Item # 6 Pared HTA - Sold 20 at $31.8 (4/28/22 Post)(profit snapshot = $198.37); Item # 1.H. Sold 5 HTA at $31.61; 5 at $32.89 (11/11/21 Post)(profit snapshot = $96.97); (Item # 3.B. Pared HTA - Sold 10 at $28.17; 10 at $29.17 (7/18/20 Post)(profit snapshot = $118.58); Item # 1 Sold 2 HTA at $26.7 (5/2/20 Post)(Profit Snapshot = $7.81); Item # 2.D. Eliminated HTA-Sold 30 at $32.51 (2/8/2020 Post)(profit snapshot = $178.02); Item # 1.A. Sold 10 HTA at $31.31 (1/29/20)(profit snapshot = $44.34); Item # 2.B. Sold 10 HTA at $30.81 (11/28/19 Post)(profit snapshot = $39.2);Item # 1.A. Sold 15 HTA at $28.57-Used Commission Free Trade(9/12/18 Post)(profit snapshot = $46.12); Item # 2 Sold 50 HTA at $26.25 Update For REIT Basket Strategy As Of 10/28/15 - South Gent | Seeking Alpha(profit snapshot = $124.1)
Largest Legacy HR Realized Gain: Item # 2 Sold 50 HR at $26.33 Update For REIT Basket Strategy As Of 10/19/15 - South Gent | Seeking Alpha (profit snapshot = $103.27)
I highlighted the previous sell prices to underscore that the growth by acquisition strategy has failed.
Combined HR and HTA Realized Gains: $956.03
D. Eliminated Duplicate Position in FSCO - Sold 20 at $6.78:
Quote: FS Credit Opportunities Corp. Overview - Leveraged CEF
Proceeds: $135.69
Portfolio:
Insofar as the portfolio owns senior secured loans made to private companies, this CEF is similar to a BDC including FS KKR Capital (FSK) that has the same external manager. Most of the loans are at spreads to short term rates. FSCO also owns senior secured bonds, subordinated debt and asset backed finance. Both the BDC and this CEF use leverage and both can trade at discounts to the last reported net asset value per share. The NAV for the CEF is reported each business day and is consequently more current than the quarterly reports filed by BDCs that have that information.
Sponsor's website: FSCO-FS Investments
Profit Snapshot: $21.89
Last Discussed: Item # 1.B. Added to FSCO - Bought 5 at $5.67; (3/1/24 Post); Item # 2.E. Started FSCO - Bought 50 at $5.78 (2/2/24 Post) I still own those shares.
Dividend: Monthly at $.06 per share
FSCO Dividend History | Nasdaq
Next Ex Dividend: 12/23/24
Data Date of 12/9/24 Trade:
Closing Net Asset value per share: $7.11
Closing Market Price: $6.71
Discount: -5.63%
Sourced: FSCO - CEF Connect
D. Eliminated MGA - Sold 3 at 46.01:
Quote: Magna International Inc. (MGA)
Proceeds: $138.03
Website: Magna International
MGA Analyst Estimates | MarketWatch
I decided to own only the MGA SU bond maturing in 2025 for now. I have two concerns about the stock: (1) possible U.S. tariffs on its products manufactured in Canada and (2) a slowdown in new automobile sales. Magna is a major auto parts manufacturer.
Profit Snapshot: $16.67
Last Discussed: Item # 3.C. Started MGA - Bought 1 at $40.8; 2 at $40.28 (10/10/24 Post). I discussed the second quarter earnings report in that post. SEC Filed Earnings Press Release
Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/24): SEC Filed Press Release
Revenue $10.3B decline in line with the 4% decrease in global light vehicle production
E.P.S. = $1.68
Adjusted E.P.S. = $1.28, down $.18 which includes $.10 from a higher tax rate.
My Consider to Purchase Range: Less than $38 with no major intervening negative news.
MGA SU Bonds: I own 4 of the 4.15% SU bonds that mature on 10/1/2025. Bond Page | FINRA.org
E. Pared CET Sold 2 at $47.04 - Schwab Account:
Quote: Central Securities Corp. (CET) - Stock CEF
Proceeds: $94.08
This fund was formed shortly before the 1929 stock market crash and was one of the few CEFs that survived the Great Depression.
Last Buy Discussions: Item # 3.C. Added to CET - Bought 2 at $35.7 (11/18/23); Item # 2.H. Added 5 CET at $35.48 (6/20/23 Post)
Sponsor's website: Home Page - Central Securities Corporation
CET Page at Morningstar (rated 5 stars)Top 10 Holdings as of 9/30/24:
As previously discussed, the largest holding is a private insurance company called Plymouth Rock. CET has on occasion sold some Plymouth shares back to the company. CET receives dividends from Plymouth. In 2023, the total was $7,224,244. SEC Filed Annual Report at page 21 CET received $9,344,958M in dividends last year from Plymouth Rock. SEC Filed 2022 Annual Report at 21.
Portfolio Changes in the Third Quarter:
I sold my highest cost shares that were not purchased with dividends. The 2 shares were bought at 4/2/21 at $42.07. Since that purchase, this fund has paid $10.3 per share in dividends.
Last Dividend (owned all as of): $2.05 per share with a 11/15/24 ex dividend date and a 12/20/24 pay date. CET Stock Dividend History & Date
The fund pays a $.20 per share semiannual dividend in June and a significantly higher one in December that includes capital gains.
Prior Dividend History:
Per Share:
2022: $2.25
2021: $3.55
2020: $1.50
2019: $1.15
2018: $1.20
The largest annual distribution starting in 1990 was $3.5 per share in 2013. CET sold back to Plymouth Rock 35,000 shares realizing $92,750,000 in proceeds. 2013 Annual Report at page 6 CET last sold shares back to Plymouth Rock in 2015, reducing its stake from 34,434 to 28,424 for $24M in proceeds. 2015 Annual Report at page 18
Profit Snapshot: +$9.94
New Average cost per share: $34.25
Snapshot Intraday on 12/11/24 - 1 Day after pare |
The reason for taking the AC per share snapshot one day after pare is that Schwab updates the information overnight when using the specific identification cost method.
The AC was reduced from $35.1.
Data as of 12/6/24:
CET updates NAV per share only on a weekly basis.
Net Asset Value per share: $57.03
Closing Market Price: $47.31
Discount: -17.04
Sourced: CET - CEF Connect
Net asset value per share will be highly dependent on the valuation given to the Plymouth shares owned by CET.
F. Pared TSLX - Sold 3 at $21.41 - Schwab Account:
Quote: Sixth Street Specialty Lending Inc. (TSLX) - Externally Managed BDC
Proceeds: $64.23
I sold my highest cost shares.
10-Q for the Q/E 9/30/24 A summary of investments starts at page 7.
2023 SEC Filed Annual Report (Risk summary starts at page 27 and ends at page 56)
Website: Sixth Street Specialty Lending - TSLX - Home
Last Discussed: Item # 2.O. Added to TSLX - Bought 1 at $17.58 (5/20/23 Post); Item # 1.G. Added to TSLX - Bought 1 at $17.87 (4/29/23 Post); Item # 2.D. Added to TSLX - Bought 5 at $18.3; 5 at $18.1 (12/13/22 Post)
Profit Snapshot: +$7.83
New Average cost per share: $18.32 (20+ shares)
Snapshot Intraday on 12/11/24 - 1 Day after pare |
Regular Dividend: Quarterly at $.46 per share ($1.84 annually)
Dividends | Sixth Street Specialty Lending Inc.
Special Dividends: Variable
In 2024, this BDC pay $.25 in special dividends and $.26 in 2023.
Yield at New AC = 10.04% (regular dividend only)
Last Ex Dividend (owned all as of): 11/5/24 ($.46 regular and $.05 special)
Net Asset Value per share History:
For a BDC, I would characterize this history as stable and far more favorable to shareholders than the Goldman Sachs BDC discussed in Item #1.D. above.
9/30/24: $17.07
12/31/23: $16.96
12/31/22: $16.48
9/30/22: $16.36
12/31/21: $16.84
12/31/20: $17.16
12/31/19: $16.83
12/31/18: $16.25
12/31/17: $16.09
12/31/16: $15.95
12/31/15: $15.15
12/31/14: $15.53
IPO in March 2014: Prospectus (public offering at $16 per share with estimated proceeds to $15.04, excluding internal expenses connected with the offering of about $.43 per share)
Last Earnings Report (Q/E 9/30/24):
NII per share: $.59
Adjusted NII per share: $.57
The adjustment is for a capital gain incentive fee that has accrued but has not yet been paid.
"As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s portfolio based on fair value consisted of 93.2% first-lien debt investments, 0.8% second-lien debt investments, 0.1% structured credit investments, 1.1% mezzanine debt investments, and 4.8% equity and other investments. As of June 30, 2024, the Company’s portfolio based on fair value consisted of 92.8% first-lien debt investments, 0.8% second-lien debt investments, 0.2% structured credit investments, 1.3% mezzanine debt investments, and 4.9% equity and other investments."
"As of September 30, 2024, 98.8% of debt investments based on fair value in the portfolio bore interest at floating rates with 100.0% of these subject to reference rate floors."
"As of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024, 1.9% and 1.1% of the portfolio at fair value was on non-accrual status, respectively. The increase was driven by one new investment, Lithium Technologies, added to non-accrual status during the quarter.
Company assessments of credit risks:
10-Q at page 56
Company assessment of NII impact from changes in interest rates:
10-Q at page 70.
SU Bonds: I had 4 SU bonds mature on 11/1/24.
G. Pared WHR Again - Sold 1+ Shares at $126.06:
Quote: Whirlpool Corp. (WHR)
Proceeds: $185.43
WHR Analyst Estimates | MarketWatch (As of 12/11/24, the average E.P.S. estimate for 2024 was at $12; at $11.51 in 2025 and at $14.18 in 2026).
Last Discussed: Item # 1.D. Sold Highest Cost 7+ Shares in WHR at various prices (11/27/24 Post)(net loss snapshot of -$46.36) I discussed the 3rd quarter earnings report in that post. SEC Filed Earnings Press Release
Profit Snapshot: $49.28
New average cost per share: $88.68 (8 Shares)
Snapshot Intraday on 11/11/24 after pare |
Dividend: Quarterly at $1.75 per share ($7 annually)
Yield at New AC = 7.89%
Last Ex Dividend: 11/14/25
3. Corporate Bonds:
A. Bought 2 Physicians Realty LP 4.3% SU Maturing on 3/15/27 at a Total Cost of 99.277:
Issuer: Operating subsidiary for Healthpeak Properties Inc. (DOC) who guarantees the notes.
I have a small ball position in the common stock, formerly trading under the PEAK symbol. Item # 1.J. Restarted PEAK - Bought 10 at $15.61 (11/4/23 Post)
Physicians Realty was acquired by Healthpeak who thereafter changed its stock symbol to DOC from PEAK.
SEC Filed 2024 Third Quarter Report
Finra Page: Bond Page | FINRA.org
Credit Ratings: Baa1/BBB+
YTM at Total Cost: 4.658%
Current Yield at TC: 4.33%
B. Bought 1 UDR 3.5% SU Maturing on 7/1/27 at a Total Cost of 97.148 - Interactive Brokers Account:
Issuer: UDR Inc. (UDR) - Component of the S&P 500.
I have a small ball position in the common stock.
Last UDR Discussion: Item # 2.B. Added to UDR - Bought 5 at $41.75 (11/7/2024 Post)
SEC Filed Press Release for the Q/E 9/30/24 and SEC Filed Supplemental
Finra Page: Bond Page | FINRA.org
Credit Ratings: Baa1/BBB+
YTM at Total Cost: 4.686%
Current yield at TC: 3.6%
I now own 4 bonds, with each purchase being a 1 bond lot.
C. Bought 1 GATX 3.25% SU Maturing on 9/15/26 at a Total Cost of 97.625:
Issuer: GATX Corp. (GATX)
I have never owned the common stock.
GATX Analyst Estimates | MarketWatch
GATX SEC Filed Earnings Press Release for the Q/E 9/30/24
Finra Page: Bond Page | FINRA.org
Credit Ratings: Baa2/BBB
YTM at Total Cost: 4.653%
Current Yield at TC = 3.339%
I own 4 GATX 3.25% SU notes that mature on 3/30/25, Bond Page | FINRA.org
I had 4 GATX 4.35% SU bonds, which include 1 in a RI account, mature on 2/15/24.
D. Bought 2 Kimco Realty 3.25% SU Maturing on 8/15/26 at a Total Cost of 97.571:
This note was originally issued by Weingarten Realty who was acquired by Kimco.
I have a small ball position in the stock.
Last KIM Discussion: Item # 1.A. Started KIM - Bought 10 at $18.05; 5 at $17.58 (4/19/24 Post)
KIM SEC Filed Earnings Press Release for the Q/E 9/30/24
Website: Kimco Realty
Finra Page: Bond Page | FINRA.org
Credit Ratings: Baa1/BBB+
YTM at Total Cost: 4.754%
Current Yield at TC: 3.31%
I am in the process of staggering maturities for KIM SU notes. This is an integral part of my short term corporate bond ladder.
I currently own 8 bonds:
4 SU 3.3% Maturing on 2/1/25, Bond Page | FINRA.org
2 SU 3.85% Maturing on 6/1/25, Bond Page | FINRA.org
2 SU maturing on 8/15/26 (discussed here)
E. Bought 2 Healthcare Realty 3.75% SU Bonds Maturing on 7/1/27 at a Total Cost of 97.37:
Issuer: Healthcare Realty Trust Inc. (HR) - A REIT that owns medical office buildings.
I have a position in the common stock.
The bond was originally issued by Healthcare Trust of America (HTA), a medical property REIT. Healthcare Realty Trust and Healthcare Trust of America Announce Closing of Merger - Healthcare Realty (7/20/22) This was a reverse merger where HTA was the surviving company who then changed its name and symbol to Healthcare Realty (HE). Healthcare Realty and Healthcare Trust of America Enter Into $18 Billion Strategic Combination - Healthcare Realty
HR SEC Filed Earnings Press Release for the Q/E 9/30/24
HR 10-Q for the Q/E 9/30/24 Debt obligations are listed at page 17, but the interest rates are not the coupons but the "effective interest" rates. The coupon rates are listed at p. 31 of the 2023 Annual Report which includes this 3.75% note.
Finra Page: Bond Page | FINRA.org
Credit Ratings: Baa2/BBB
YTM at Total Cost: 4.848%
Current Yield at TC = 3.85%
I have staggered short term notes issued by this REIT. I currently own the following:
3 SU Maturing on 5/1/25, FINRA Bond Page
4 SU Maturing on 8/1/26, FINRA Bond Page
2 SU Maturing on 7/1/27 (the note discussed here)
F. Bought 2 Southern Gas 3.875% SU Maturing on 12/15/25 at a Total Cost of 99.203:
Issuer: The bond was originally issued by AGL that was acquired by Southern Co. (SO), a large utility holding company, in 2016. Southern Company and AGL Resources complete merger, create a leading U.S. energy company Southern also owns large electric utilities operating in the southeastern U.S.
Credit Ratings: Baa1/A-
YTM at Total Cost: 4.745%
Current Yield at TC: 3.906%
I now own 4 bonds.
4. Treasury Bills Purchased at Auction:
A. Bought 15 Treasury Bills at the 12/5/24 Auction - 2 Accounts:
58 day bill
Matures on 2/5/25
Interest: $101.5
Investment Rate: 4.44%
The ten bill purchase was in my Fidelity account where I was simply redirecting the proceeds from 10 T bills that matured on 12/5/24. The 5 T Bills bought in my Schwab account was a redeployment of $5K in proceeds received from a maturing bill on 12/5/24.
B. Bought 8 Treasury Bills at the 12/9/24 Auction - 2 Accounts:
91 Day Bills
Mature on 3/13/25
Interest: $86.96
Investment Rate: 4.408%
This IR is consistent with a .25% cut in the FF range on 12/18 IMO.
C. Bought 2 Treasury Bills at the 12/9/24 Auction:
182 Day BillsMatures on 6/12/25
Interest: $42.47
Investment Rate: 4.351%
5. Exchange Traded First Mortgage Baby Bonds:
A. Added to EMP in Schwab account- Bought 5 at $22.1:
Quote: Entergy Mississippi LLC 4.9% First Mortgage Bond
Cost: $110.5
Issuer: Wholly owned subsidiary of Entergy Corp. (ETR)
ETR 10-Q for the Q/E 9/30/24 (Energy Mississippi results can be found starting at page 139)
Last Buy Discussions: Item # 9.A. Added to EMP - Bought 5 at $23.21; 5 at $22.71 (Schwab account)(10/3/24 Post); Item # 6.A. Bought 5 EMP in Fidelity Account at $22.75 (9/12/24 Post); Item # 5.B. Added to EMP in Vanguard Taxable Account - Bought 5 at $22.76 (9/5/24 Post); Item # 4.A. Added to EMP in Schwab Account - Bought 5 at $22.48 (8/8/24 Post)
Average cost per share this account: $22.05 (60 shares)
Snapshot as of close 12/9/24 after add |
Yield at AC: 5.556%
(4.9% coupon x. $25 par value = $1.225 in annual interest per share ÷ $22.05 average cost per share = 5.5556%)
Next Ex Interest Date: 12/31/24
Some Sell Discussions: Item # 5.A. Pared EMP-Sold 5 at $26.84 (6/27/20 Post); Item # 4.A. Eliminated EMP-Sold 70 at $24.87 (5/1/19 Post)(largest gain snapshot = $207.92); Item # 2.B. Sold 30 EMP at $24.44 (2/13/19 Post); Item # 2.A. Sold 50 EMP at $24.47 (7/22/17 Post)
EMP Realized Gains to Date: $464.69 (snapshots in Item # 9.A. and in my Gateway Post for Exchange Traded Baby Bonds)
Maximum Position in Taxable Accounts: 300 shares
Current Position in 3 Taxable Accounts (60 shares each): 180 shares
Disclaimer: I 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.
I have decided to lower my T Bill purchases next week to $5K. The reason is the T Bill yields are becoming less attractive as intermediate term rates are moving higher. If this trend continues into next week, I may want to direct more proceeds from maturing securities into somewhat longer term maturities.
ReplyDeleteOne emerging response to the anticipated Fed rate cut next week is a rise in the 10 year treasury note yield.
U.S. 10 Year Treasury Note
4.392% + 0.058
Last Updated: Dec 13, 2024 12:55 p.m. EST
https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/bond/tmubmusd10y?countrycode=bx&mod=home-page
The 10 year treasury yield close on 12/6/24 at 4.15%.
I would attribute the rise in the 10 year yield to slightly more concern that another cut in the FF rate, when none is needed for the economy now, may, along with other factors likely to emerge next year, reignite inflation. A continued uptrend in intermediate and long term yields would signal that these concerns are becoming more prominent IMO.
The data you've posted looks like the economy is strong enough that more stimulus (rate cut) would increase inflation.
DeleteAlso they say not to change meds when changing everything else in life. With the POTUS changes coming, that'd be good advice for the Fed too.
I'll be glad to see 2-4 year bond rates increase for mine and my dad's needs.
No idea how this translates to investing. Info I've seen on some of ABBVs drugs and acquired drugs with the acquisition.
DeleteImbruvica would only be prescribed for those already using it. It has no likelihood of working better than it's two predecessors. Calguence and Zanubrutinib. There is research published evidence that Calguence may do better than the 3rd variation Zanu, because it's taken 2x a day so stays in the system more consistently.
But there's newer drugs with even more promise. Epcoritamab is a new method of immunotherapy drugs that several doctors have said in presentations or appts are likely to be game changers. They are y shaped. One side grabs a lymphoma cell, the other grabs your t-cell. T-cells kill cancer cells. They puts them together so the t-cell can't miss. The excitement is much better complete and total response rates. The #s are exciting.
I just saw drug for DLBCL that I hadn't even heard of with y structure but the other arm carries a cell destroyer to inject the lymphoma cell. The phase II numbers are great.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-antibody-results-high-follicular-lymphoma.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawHMbjxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHab9p0qjeI7655_OdayM3tZvhcA3CooaIafrSjuvUdWnF2sdNsj467moEA_aem_sTD8QgZV6bnxo_hBNccJYw
The study I was in also showed another DLBCL drug, tafasitamab, gave much better longevity to the treatment than the baseline R2 drugs. It's officially double blind but we're all sure I had the trial drug from minor but distinct reactions during the IVs. R2ed is hard to take (but easier than R-Chop). Tafa is easy. So to be more useful in indolent conditions it needs to be part of other protocols.
https://www.patientpower.info/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/new-standard-in-relapsed-or-refractory-follicular-lymphoma-tafasitamab-improves-pfs?fbclid=IwY2xjawHMcFBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHegA0SG7j4BFbHUJ5pkbVkYGb2e4X9rYjNESMdElsuKa_cS-Dp9nJPyjKw_aem_cmgTdtDTUo2HUVwh56lR8Q
I hadn't heard of Tavapadon yet. I'm on another agonist, neupro patches. I went down a rabbit hole looking it up, and this article is good. The actual improvement stats don't seem published yet:
Deletehttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10909821/
This may produce less dyskinesias than other treatments which would be a big plus.
The big problem side effect with neupro in some is excessiveness. I've heard stories of buying $500 cashmere sweaters but the car load.... So far not a problem for me, unless spending $1-200 at the dollar tree over a year counts.
It might cause you to go wild and crazy and double your buys from 2 to 4 shares at a time!
Over the course of this year, your net stock buying was -69k? So that's a vote for more caution.
Delete_____
The employment and inflation data aren't pointing to a manufacturing slow down at all. Though those #s have been on and off below 50 in retraction. Are there other recession indicators?
Land: My selling of stocks is related to my preservation of capital objective and the fact that my interest income after taxes easily covers my living expenses and major home expenditures, leaving me with a positive balance that can be used to increase my income from relatively safe investments.
DeleteI may have gone a bit overboard with the selling since my stock allocation is at less than 10% of assets held in brokerage accounts. I may be back in a net add position in a week or so.
The number of people employed in the U.S. manufacturing, as defined by the BLS, has been trending down since 1979 but has stabilized in 11M to 13M range since 2010:
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MANEMP
The service sector and U.S. consumer spending are far more important to the economy.
The ISM manufacturing PMI numbers are what you are referencing and those numbers have been in contraction territory for several months.
I do not see any reason for a FED rate cut based on the economic data that I have reviewed.
I am more concerned that the FED may be providing monetary stimulus too soon and that inflation is more likely to trend higher later next year and into 2026, provided Trump follows through on his tariff and mass deportation policies, occurring at time when several of his proposed tax cuts would stimulate consumer when supply chains are being disrupted by the deportations and consumer demand is increasing in part due to the proposed tax cuts.
Land: I recall tafasitamab, sold under the brand name of Monjuvi. It was one reason why I invested in the german biotech MorphoSys. The ADR formerly traded under the MOR symbol. Novartis acquired MOR and MOR unloaded its interest in Monjuvi to Incyte. As I recall, revenues from Monjuvi were lower than anticipated.
DeleteItem # 5.A. Eliminated MOR - Sold 10 MOR at $17.21; 30 at $17.04 (profit snapshot = $256.41):
https://tennesseeindependent.blogspot.com/2024/02/ay-bmy-hban-maa-metpra-mor-nomd-nsa.html
Novartis offered €68 per share in its February press release which, given the ADR ratio 4 ADRs to 1 Ordinary share, equaled about $17 for the ADR shareholders. I had MOR classified as a Lotto.
I've noticed there isnt as much 'talk' about Tafa as I'd expect given it's easy to tolerate, and a different mechanism so good for non-responders to first line treatment. 1) Could be that it's paired with the R2 protocol. Revlimid in that protocol is tough. It's given 3 weeks on 1 week off because bodies need a break.... 2) Or could be not many published studies with it and the current just published one will increase interest.
DeleteThanks for the context on the stock selling.
DeleteIt's a spot where it's not obvious what to do. After a big run up, will momentum continue, or will a correction come along? Especially with manufacturing declining, even if it doesn't dominate the economy anymore. A mystery.
The calling of LAZ SU notes - would be because rates are lower and not a reflection on LAZ? I own LAZ that's just turned green since they switched company format so they switched from issuing K-1 tax forms.
ReplyDeleteLand: An early call of a bond is a positive sign for credit quality. It is a signal that the company is not struggling to pay off senior debt.
DeleteThe reasons can vary, but frequently the early call occurs near in time to a new bond issuance where part of the proceeds will be used to pay off a bond about to mature and the early redemption can be done at par value. The bond is going to have to be paid off soon anyway. The company may be using a downdraft in interest rates to refinance bonds or replenish corporate cash balances, while extending the maturity date with the newly issued bonds.
I had 4 Oneok 4.9% SU bonds called and the proceeds will be credited to my account tomorrow. That one would have matured on 3/15/25. This is slightly disruptive to my bond ladder and occurs more frequently for bonds that are about to mature when interest rates have declined some.
That's good to know. I hadn't thought of it being a positive sign, but that makes total sense.
DeleteThe CME FedWatch Tool currently has a 99.1% probability that the FED will cut the FF range by .25% to 4.25%-4.5% on 12/18. The T Bill auctions earlier today signal that a rate cut will happen with the same certainty. The 3 and 6 month T Bills were auctioned with investments of 4.356% and 4.309% respectively. Both investment rates are near the midpoint of the FF range after a cut on 12/18.
ReplyDeleteThe signal sent by the 6 month IR is that there is a very low probability of another cut, taking the range down to 4% to 4.25%, before that bill matures on 6/25/25 and a near zero probability IMO of a cut at the FED's January and March 2025 meetings.
The CME FedWatch tool, on the other hand, currently has another cut on or before the March 2025 at a 60.4% probability.
https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html
The certainty is baffling to me. But usually this much certainty means it will happen.
DeleteLand: The certainty of a rate cut on 12/18 and the possibility of another one in the 2025 first half is causing bond investors to become more concerned about inflation, as evidenced by a rise in intermediate and longer term treasury yields. The FED can control the short term interest rates through changes in the federal funds range but would have to use QE to influence the longer term yields.
DeleteThere was a brief rally earlier today in the ten year treasury that took the yield down almost 4 basis points to 4.365% but that rally was sold and the yield is now back over 4.4%.
https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/bond/tmubmusd10y?countrycode=bx&mod=home-page
The 10 year treasury yield was at 3.51% on 9/16/24:
https://home.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/TextView?type=daily_treasury_yield_curve&field_tdr_date_value=2024
I only noticed today that the reset equity preferred stock SNVPRE reset its coupon for five years at a 4.127% spread to the five year U.S. treasury note.
ReplyDeleteSynovus Financial Corp. (SNV-PE)
$26.07 -$0.20 (-0.76%)
As of 11:16AM EST.
https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/SNV-PE/?p=SNV-PE&.tsrc=fin-srch
The issuer is the bank holding company Synovus Financial. I could not find a press release announcing the reset.
I did note that the old coupon which was at the fixed rate of 5.875% paid on a $25 par value paid a quarterly dividend of $.367+ and the new quarterly dividend was declared at $.52481 per share or $2.10 annually up for $1.47.
https://www.synovus.com/about-us/news/2024/2024-12-03-synovus-announces-quarterly-dividends
The $2.1 annual is equivalent to a 8.4% coupon on the $25 par value, indicating that the 5 year note was at about 4.27% on the 5 year reset date.
I own only 10 shares:
Item # 2.A. Bought 10 SNVPRE at $21.47: https://tennesseeindependent.blogspot.com/2023/09/bmy-cag-ctopra-dpg-fhn-fsk-gladz-gnlprd.html
The yield at my $21.47 total cost per share is now at 9.78%.
As a reminder, preferred stocks issued by bank holding companies have a downside risk of a zero price when and if the FDIC seizes the operating bank. There will generally be assets at the holding company level that will be a fraction of the value of SU notes issued by the holding company.
There is a five year TIP auction on 12/19. This is a reopening of a 5 year TIP auctioned in October with a dated date of 10/15, that had a coupon of 1.625%. I placed an order to buy 1 in a Roth IRA account. The then expected real yield was at 1.882% according to Fidelity. That may change some, up or down, before the auction date. Since this is a reopening, there will be a minor adjustment to the principal amount by CPI since the original dated date.
ReplyDeleteThe inflation factor which adjusts daily for this note can be found here:
https://treasurydirect.gov/auctions/announcements-data-results/tips-cpi-data/tips-cpi-detail/?cusip=91282CLV1
The real yield estimate indicates that the bond will be sold at a small discount to its original principal amount.
The non-inflation protected 5 year treasury had a 3.86% yield on 10/15/24. The 5 year treasury closed yesterday at a 4.25%. That increase in the nominal yield will negatively impact the price of the 5 year TIP auctioned on 10/15. The real yield on 10/15 was
1.64%. The 5 year TIP real yield has been rising this month:
https://home.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/TextView?type=daily_treasury_real_yield_curve&field_tdr_date_value=2024
Some of the froth was taken out of the stock market today with the DJIA declining 1,123 points.
ReplyDeleteThe ten year treasury yield is currently trading 11+ basis points higher, slightly above a 4.52% yield. Shortly before the FED announced the expected 25 basis point cut in the FF range, the ten year was trading at a 4.39% yield.
The precipitating event for the wildness was that the majority of FED members are forecasting 2 rate cuts next year down from 4 in its September 2024 projections. I also noted that a majority of FED members (15 out of 19) now see an upside risk to core PCE inflation when only 3 believed so in September. The Fed also revised its estimate for 2024 core PCE inflation to 2.8% from 2.6% and also increased its 2024 real GDP projection to +2.5% from 2%.
I will discuss this development in my next post which I will published tomorrow morning.
There was also a significant percentage move higher in the 5 year TIP real yield.
https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/US5YTIPS
As I mentioned in an earlier comment, there will be a 5 year TIP auction tomorrow.
The Treasury Department has the real yield on the 5 year TIP at 2.02% which may change some up or down tomorrow:
https://home.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/TextView?type=daily_treasury_real_yield_curve&field_tdr_date_value_month=202412
I had an order placed to buy 1 but will now buy 2.
I already on 1 of the TIP that will be auctioned on Thursday, having bought it at the 10/15/24 auction.
Looking forward to seeing your notes on the meeting.
ReplyDeleteI had a chance to listen to the Fed meeting while I was driving to my dad's today. I haven't had a chance to check the market yet cuz I just got in. But I'm planning on buying into this downdraft.
I'm hoping to swap small portion of my VXF (small mid cap extended market) for Spy large cap. The large companies are still earning strongly, and also still popular for momentum.
___
A money market conversation on radio station along the way, mentioned froth and the higher rates causing slowdown, and potential for recession. There isn't one but I don't think the potential should be totally ignored, with stuff like the chemical companies sinking.
Land: I do not foresee the current intermediate and longer term rates as sufficiently high to cause a slowdown independent of other factors.
DeleteMost businesses borrow at spreads to short term rates (Prime or SOFR) and those are coming down. So the Fed's monetary policy is favorable for those borrowing at short term rates or at nominal spreads to those rates.
The signal being sent by the persistent rise in intermediate and longer term rates, the increase in TIP breakeven inflation rates, and the increase in TIP real yields since the FED started to cut is potentially ominous in that those increases have embedded in them more concern about inflation accelerating over the next few years and that could knock stocks down if the trajectory continues higher.
For those of us who were trying to invest in the late 1960s and through the 1970s, we do not need to be reminded what happens when problematic inflation becomes the norm.
And even though my short term memory is not as good as it use to be, I still can remember the FED keeping ZIRP and QE until March 2022 when the annual CPI rate was reported at +8.5%.
I have published a new post:
ReplyDeletehttps://tennesseeindependent.blogspot.com/2024/12/bce-btbunca-cnq-cve-dow-emp-fsk-gmab.html