Two High-Yield Investments (Reaching 20.9%) That May Be Deceptive (Plus a Reliable 9% Payer)
Bankruptcy Impact on BDCs: The bankruptcy of auto-parts supplier First Brands has raised concerns about business development companies (BDCs), which provide loans to small and mid-sized firms, leading to fears of more issues in the private-credit market.
Caution Against High-Yield BDCs: Investors are advised to be cautious of BDCs like Blue Owl Capital and Prospect Capital Corp, which have high fees and poor long-term performance, making them less attractive despite their high yields.
Alternative Investment Recommendation: The Liberty All-Star Growth Fund (ASG) is highlighted as a better investment option, offering a 9% dividend and a significant discount to NAV, outperforming BDCs in total return.
Upcoming Investment Opportunities: The author plans to release a "mini-portfolio for 2026" featuring four high-yield closed-end funds (CEFs) with an average yield of 9.2% and potential for over 20% price upside, encouraging readers to access this information.
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- Dividend Declaration: Priority Income Fund announced the payment of dividends on various preferred stocks, including 7.00% Series D, 6.00% Series J, 7.00% Series K, and 6.375% Series L, scheduled for March 31, 2026, indicating the company's stable cash flow and shareholder return strategy.
- Dividend Details: The distributions per share are set at $0.43750 for Series D, $0.37500 for Series J, $0.43750 for Series K, and $0.39844 for Series L, all payable after the ex-dividend date of March 23, 2026, reflecting the company's commitment to its investors.
- Tax Treatment: The dividends will first be treated as a distribution of taxable investment company income undistributed from the prior year, then as current year taxable income, ensuring transparency and compliance without affecting shareholders' tax reporting.
- Portfolio Management: Priority Income Fund focuses on acquiring and growing a portfolio primarily consisting of senior secured loans, demonstrating its expertise and market positioning in high-yield debt investments, which enhances its appeal among investors.
- Distribution Announcement: Priority Income Fund has declared distributions on various preferred stocks, including 7.00% Series D, 6.00% Series J, 7.00% Series K, and 6.375% Series L, set to be paid on March 31, 2026, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Distribution Details: The distributions are $0.43750 per share for Series D and K, $0.37500 for Series J, and $0.39844 for Series L, all payable after the record date of March 23, 2026, reflecting the company's stable cash flow and profitability.
- Tax Treatment: The distributions will first be treated as undistributed taxable investment company income from the prior year and then as current year taxable income, ensuring transparency and compliance without affecting shareholders' tax reporting.
- Portfolio Management: Priority Income Fund focuses on acquiring and growing an investment portfolio primarily consisting of senior secured loans, managed by a team from Prospect Capital Management, highlighting its expertise and experience in high-yield debt investments.
- Price Fluctuation: On Monday, Prospect Capital Corporation's 5.35% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock (Symbol: PSEC.PRA) fell approximately 3.6%, while the common shares (Symbol: PSEC) rose about 0.7%, indicating a significant divergence between the preferred and common stock that may influence investors' asset allocation decisions.
- Dividend History: The dividend history chart for PSEC.PRA illustrates the historical dividend payments of this preferred stock, reflecting its appeal as a fixed-income investment; despite the current price decline, the stable dividends may still attract income-seeking investors.
- Market Sentiment: The current market performance suggests that investor confidence in preferred shares may be waning, especially given the relatively strong performance of common shares, which could lead investors to reassess their portfolios in light of changing sentiments.
- Investor Perspectives: The views and opinions expressed in the article do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc., highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in market analysis, prompting investors to carefully consider information from various sources to make informed decisions.
- Asset Sale Overview: Blue Owl Capital successfully sold $1.4 billion in loan assets through an agreement with four North American pension and insurance investors, with the transaction priced at 99.7% of par value, involving three of its private debt funds.
- OBDC II Fund Dynamics: The OBDC II fund offloaded $600 million in loans, representing 34% of its $1.7 billion portfolio, which will end regular quarterly liquidity payments to investors, shifting to a more restrictive periodic payout model.
- Liquidity Challenges: This transition highlights the increasing liquidity and transparency issues faced by Blue Owl, restricting investors' ability to withdraw funds amid ongoing expansion into the retail wealth space by private asset managers.
- Shareholder Return Plan: Blue Owl intends to use the proceeds from this asset sale to pay down debt and return up to $2.35 per share to OBDC II shareholders, approximately 30% of the fund's net asset value, aiming to create value for shareholders while maintaining a diversified portfolio.
- Investment Performance: Since its first investment on February 6, 2025, Prospect Credit REIT (PCRED) achieved an annualized total return of 13.14% by December 31, 2025, significantly outperforming the Stanger Composite NAV REIT Index's return of 6.50%, demonstrating its strong position in the real estate credit investment sector.
- Dividend Stability: As of January 2026, PCRED's shareholder distribution rate stands at 9.00% per annum, with eleven consecutive months of distributions fully covered by net investment income since inception, enhancing investor confidence and appeal.
- Cost Advantage: PCRED's current private offering does not incur management or performance fees, a strategy that not only reduces investor costs but also increases its attractiveness in a competitive market, particularly among investors seeking stable returns.
- Market Positioning Difference: Unlike equity-focused NAV REITs that prioritize capital appreciation, PCRED focuses on higher-priority, less-volatile credit investments, emphasizing income driven by current and contractual coupons, which allows it to maintain relatively stable performance amid market fluctuations.
- Outstanding Investment Returns: Since its first investment on February 6, 2025, Prospect Credit REIT (PCRED) achieved an annualized total return of 13.14% as of December 31, 2025, significantly outperforming the Stanger Composite NAV REIT Index's return of 6.50%, demonstrating its strong performance in the real estate credit sector.
- Sustained Dividend Capability: As of January 2026, PCRED's shareholder distribution rate stands at 9.00% per annum, and it has declared eleven consecutive months of distributions since inception, reflecting the stability and sustainability of its investment income.
- Significant Fee Advantage: The current private offering of PCRED does not impose management or performance fees, reducing the cost burden on investors and thereby attracting more participants, which enhances its market competitiveness.
- Diversified Investment Portfolio: PCRED focuses on higher-priority, less-volatile credit investments, providing a more stable income source compared to equity NAV REITs that primarily seek capital appreciation, thus meeting market demands for both safety and yield.








