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This income-generating asset offers yield exceeding 6% at a tax-advantaged rate

Investors who can stomach some rate volatility may be poised to pick up solid yield.

This income-generating asset offers yield exceeding 6% at a tax-advantaged rate

TL;DR

  • Preferred securities offer attractive yields, often above 6%, with tax-advantaged income potential.
  • They combine characteristics of bonds and stocks, trading on exchanges but providing regular income.
  • Their long or perpetual maturity makes them sensitive to interest rate changes, affecting their prices.
  • Income from preferreds may be treated as qualified dividends, taxed at lower rates than bond interest.
  • Investors should treat preferreds as a complementary asset within a diversified portfolio, not a core holding.
  • Managing concentration risk is crucial, as financial institutions and utilities are frequent issuers.
  • ETFs like VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) and iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) offer diversified exposure.