A Primer on Preferred Securities

A Primer on Preferred Securities by Columbia Management

As financial institutions raise capital and reduce risk, preferred securities can offer an attractive risk-adjusted yield in a low-yield environment. Let’s examine this asset class, including the structures, the motivation of issuers and investors and why we think preferred securities make sense in the current market environment.

What is a preferred security?

Preferred securities carry attributes of both debt and equity securities. Preferred securities rank higher in the capital structure relative to common equity, as they have a priority claim on dividend payments and a higher claim on assets in a bankruptcy. Preferred securities generally offer higher yields than senior unsecured debt from the same issuer, reflecting their junior position in the capital structure,...