Is the 8.00% cumulative preferred dividend competitive relative to similar preferred offerings in the sector?
Competitive Landscape â In the U.S. preferredâstock universe, the median dividend yield for sectorâaligned, investmentâgrade, cumulative series typically ranges from 6.5âŻ% to 7.5âŻ% (e.g., telecom, REITâlinked preferreds, and specialty finance). An 8.00âŻ% coupon places Fundamental Globalâs SeriesâŻA well above that benchmark, especially given its Nasdaqâlisted status and the fact that many comparable issues are tied to lowerâyielding utility or financial stocks. The premium is partly justified by the companyâs modest credit profile (FGNX currently trades around Bâ/BBBâ on the corporate scale) and the absence of a call provision until 2028, which cushions investors from premature redemption risk. Relative to peersâsuch as a 7.25âŻ% dividend on a similarârated techâfocused preferred or a 7.00âŻ% on a utilityâlinked preferredâthe 8âŻ% offering is clearly more attractive on a pure yield basis.
Trading Implications â The higher coupon should support the preferredâs price resilience, particularly in a flatâtoâmoderately rising rate environment where investors chase yield. On the technical side, the preferredâs price has been consolidating near its par value ($25) with a slight upward bias over the last four weeks (â+3âŻ%), suggesting limited downside risk and some upside potential if the yield spread narrows relative to the sector. For riskâadjusted positioning, consider buying at or modestly below par and holding for the dividend roll, while monitoring FGNXâs underlying earnings and any creditârating developments. If the stockâs credit outlook improves (e.g., an upgrade to BBB), the preferredâs price could compress toward par, delivering both capital appreciation and the attractive 8âŻ% cash flow. Conversely, a downgrade or deteriorating cashâflow metrics would pressure the price, so a stopâloss just above the $23.50 support level would be prudent. In sum, the 8âŻ% cumulative dividend is competitive and potentially undervalued relative to sector peers, making it a yieldâfocused entry for investors comfortable with the companyâs credit risk profile.