Although not a huge fraction of my portfolio, I have trimmed some of my long-term corporate debt position in Limited Brands 2033 bonds, at a yield to maturity of 7.8%. I will be trimming more if the yield goes down to around 7.6%, and eliminate it entirely if the yield goes down to around 7.4%.
The risk-free rate (US government treasuries) for a 23-year maturity is about 4.5%, so the yield spread of 3.3% is not sufficient compensation in my eyes for the level of risk taken.
Limited Brands is a company that is in excellent shape after the 2008-2009 recession. They have about $2.7 billion in debt, compared to $1.8 billion cash on the balance sheet, and yearly free cash flow of about $900 million. Their “big name” store is Victoria’s Secret and they also operate Bath and Body Works. Although they have excellent prospects looking forward in terms of liquidity and solvency (and they have announced they will be giving out a $323M special dividend and a share buyback program, which is not good for bondholders although it speaks to the financial capability of the company to make such a move), I will lower my exposure to their debt as prices continue to rise and look elsewhere to get a better risk/reward ratio for my capital.
I think there is a good a chance as any of US bond yields rising considerably over the next few years, so this trade is also an adjustment with respect to my macroeconomic view of the world. It does lower the yield of my portfolio, but I am happy to keep the cash. It will stay as cash until such a time where I can determine where to deploy it in an efficient manner. Given what I see out of the markets, I don’t anticipate this will be a quick process.