Sunday 18 March 2012

Portfolio Buy: 9% Yield!

There aren't many investments yielding 9% at the moment. And it is probably true to say that there aren't any 'safe' investments yielding this much.

But if you are willing to take a risk, here's one...

The bad news is that you'll need over £10k, as they are only traded in these large chunks. That's capitalism - the rich get richer...

But thinking about it, your potential Stock and Shares ISA contribution in April might be that much. If you're lucky.

So where can you get that juicy (but potentially risky) 9% return?

The Halifax 9.375% 2021 corporate bond is currently (mid-March 2012) selling at around £102 per £100, giving it an income yield of around 9% and - more importantly (if you read the last post) a redemption yield of 9%. Halifax is owned by Lloyds Banking Group, hence the risk premium in the yield. But is Lloyds going to go bust? I can't see that happening now, can you? At some stage soon the market sentiment on Lloyds is going to change and these huge yields are going to disappear. I previously looked at this same security in December 2011, when it was yielding 10% .

A recent article in Money Week notes that this bond still retains an 'investment grade' credit rating and that it is a 'bullet' bond, which means the company cannot redeem it before the maturity date.

So you can lock in 9 years of superior returns. If the financial sky does not fall in, of course.


Update: I liked it so much, I bought it.

(Purchase price: £1.03)



I am not a financial advisor and the information provided does not constitute financial advice. You should always do your own research on top of what you learn here to ensure that it's right for your specific circumstances.

16 comments:

  1. Why not look at LLPC or LLPD instead if you dont have the money to buy the large blocks required? Didends are about to be re-instated and its offering an even larger yeild with no final redeption date

    ReplyDelete
  2. Some of the comments on the MoneyWeek website indicate that Halifax 9.375% 2021 is only available in lots of 10,000. For many investors that could be a lot of eggs in one basket.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Anonymous 2 - minimum lots of £10k plus interest earned in the year so far. As you say, only for more mature portfolios.

      While it may seem a lot for new investors, if you are investing to provide a passive income, you will eventually get to the position of investing in these large chunks - whilst still retaining sufficient diversification.

      Delete
  3. I came across this website via a Fool article today and wondered
    where is it best to buy a bond and what is the commission you might pay?
    I am only just beginning to invest in bonds and have decided to put some money into the new Prov bond for this years ISA. I knew nothing about how to buy a bond but used my online broker for funds (H-L) and it costs me .5% year in an ISA. Afterwards on Citywire someone said free in an ISA in iii so have lost a bit there! This bond I bought easily because its new and no charge to investors but would appreciate how and where to buy in the future if I was putting an existing bond in either an ISA or putting in a ordinary share portfolio. Would the commission be much the same all brokers? Thank you for any advice. There is always plenty advice on brokers charges for shares and funds but not bonds from what I have seen. Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there. My view is just pick an overall cheap ISA provider - there doesn't seem to be much difference in charges between shares and bond. I have included details of my two ISA providers. One charges a fixed quarterly fee (not based on portfolio size, which I think is a cheeky practice) the other not - they make up the difference with a higher transaction cost. Neither is expensive. The price spread is another cost, of course, but I haven't noticed any real problem there - the spread seem to be related more to the security than the provider.

      Delete
  4. Thank you - where are the ISA providers - not in the reply?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi again - it's on the Portfolio page: iDealing (quarterly fee) and Sippdeal. Remember, each ISA account is only guaranteed to £50k

      Delete
    2. ...or rather TD Direct - Sippdeal is a SIPP! Sorry.

      Delete
  5. Hi, Are you sure this is a "bullet" bond? If so would you be able to explain the below extract please. I have read the original offering circular on Barclays Stockbrokers site and it states the following........
    "The Bonds will mature at par on 15 May 2021. The Bonds are subject to redemption, at the option of Halifax
    Building Society (the "Issuer"),in whole at any time at their principal amount, together with accrued interest, if the
    Issuer is to be required to pay additional amounts in respect of United Kingdom taxation or to account for tax to any
    United Kingdom taxing authority".
    Many Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Anonymous,

      As I read it: you 'par' (or face value of the security) back in 2021 but it is possible for Halifax/Lloyds to redeem it sooner if they want. The key point - why it is a 'bullet' - is that there is no option of Halifax/Lloyds setting a 'follow-on' rate (typically based on then current market rates) beyond 2021.

      Delete
  6. Does anyone know on what date the coupon is payable?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Anon,

    Mid-May but the date is perhaps academic ? Usually you 'buy' the accumulated coupon rights on corporate bonds when you buy the security - in other words it is a 'dirty' price.

    ReplyDelete
  8. wot about Barclays 6.875 that's paying 9% plus or is the dividend suspended.not as yet bought bonds but have years of trading on stocks,but these incomes look so attractive ,,,any comments please.thanks. billy

    ReplyDelete
  9. I note that this bond has started to significantly reprice in last week or so... at £129 it still has a 7.3% running yield. Having followed your opinion on this and bought it sub-par what is your view on exiting with a capital gain and when?
    Personally, my entry strategy was to hold for the, almost, 100% payout of the coupon (10 years) for a 200% return but on an NPV basis this is getting too attractive a return already.
    With other bonds, like Aviva which is also now "re-pricing", I would sell when the running yield is less than 5% in the current market.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Unknown

      I know what you mean - its gone crazy! I'm watching the price and planning to sell. I measure it by 'years of income' - its at 2.7 at the moment. If it reached 4 or 5 and a yield below my portfolio average (5.5%) I'll sell.

      Delete
  10. Hi Moneyman, thanks for feed-back.
    So, by "years of income" you mean is if, say, you bought for a 10 year time duration and you get that prognosed income stream in capital gain earlier then that's a point at which to sell out? Interesting if so. I shall keep that in mind as a "rule of thumb".
    Many thanks and keep up the good work.
    (my return in my original post should ahve read 100% not 200%)

    ReplyDelete