BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund

FRA

Market cap $452M

FRA offers high income via floating rate debt, but its golden era may be ending as interest rate cuts loom. The fund's distributions exceed earnings, raising the likelihood of a dividend cut to preserve NAV health. FRA trades at a rare premium to NAV, but inconsistent NAV growth and high default risks temper my enthusiasm.

Although double-digit yields were normal during the 1980s, lower interest rates and a robust stock market have rendered yields of 10% or higher obscure.

FRA offers a high yield (11.69%) but is overdistributing, causing net asset value destruction and threatening sustainability. The fund is trading at a premium to NAV, while most peers trade at discounts, making it relatively expensive given its risks. FRA's income will likely decline further as the Fed cuts rates, increasing the likelihood of a distribution cut and share price drop.

The BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund offers an 11.64% yield but invests in riskier, floating-rate securities, making it vulnerable to interest rate cuts. The fund's recent performance has been disappointing, with a 7.34% total loss, underperforming both the S&P 500 and the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The market is expecting rate cuts going forward, and a recession could result in even larger cuts than expected.

The BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund offers a 10.49% yield but is slightly below the median yield of similar funds, suggesting market confidence in its sustainability. The fund's share price increased by 4.27% despite declining portfolio income due to Federal Reserve rate cuts, raising concerns about future distribution sustainability. The coupon payments made by the fund's assets will decrease as the Federal Reserve continues to cut interest rates.

Consider shifting to areas of the market that are less sensitive to inflation expectations.

According to

The BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund currently trades at a 4% premium. It has historically traded at a discount, making it less attractive now. FRA's income may decrease as the Fed is likely to lower short-term rates, impacting floating rate loans negatively. The possibility of a distribution cut could deter investors seeking high payouts, further reducing FRA's appeal.

I have a diversified portfolio of stocks, funds, and bonds. My stocks are primarily dividend paying value stocks. One can find dividend stocks with superior estimated total returns by comparing their return drivers – earnings growth, dividend yield and valuation - to historic trends. This article compares the earnings growth, dividend yield, current valuation, and estimated future return of 53 stocks.

The BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund offers a competitive yield of 11.06%, in line with its peers. The Fund has delivered a fairly impressive return over the past few months, but there are signs that it is now overvalued. The fund appears to be reducing the risk profile of its portfolio, which is a smart move given the potential for rising default rates.