Preferreds trade higher amid improved liquidity; RAIT notes free to trade; Gramercy firms

By Stephanie N. Rotondo

Phoenix, Aug. 13 – The preferred stock market was again firm as the midweek session came to a close.

The Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities index ended the day up 34 basis points.

Overall liquidity was “better,” according to a market source.

Among listed and paying securities, Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc’s 6.08% noncumulative guaranteed trust preferred securities (NYSE: RBSPG) traded nearly 2.7 million times, ending up a nickel at $23.95.

Prudential Financial Inc.’s 5.7% $25-par junior subordinated notes due 2053 (NYSE: PRH) bucked the day’s firm trend, finishing the session flat at $24.80.

But Regions Financial Corp.’s 6.375% series B fixed-to-floating rate noncumulative preferreds (NYSE: RFPB) rose 8 cents to $25.62 and the Allstate Corp.’s 6.625% series E fixed-to-floating rate noncumulative preferreds (NYSE: ALLPE) gained 6 cents to close at $25.93.

In recently priced issues, RAIT Financial Trust’s $70 million issue of 7.125% $25-par senior notes due 2019 freed to trade early in the day, according to a trader.

The deal priced Monday.

After freeing, the notes were moving higher, as the trader pegged the securities at $24.75 bid, $24.87 offered.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays, Keefe Bruyette & Woods and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC were the joint bookrunners on the non-rated deal.

Meanwhile, Gramercy Property Trust Inc.’s $87.5 million of 7.125% series B cumulative redeemable perpetual preferreds – a deal that came Tuesday – were seen at less 22 cents bid, less 15 cents offered, a trader said.

That deal came upsized from $75 million and tightened from initial talk around 7.25%.

BofA Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC led the deal.

The new issue calendar continued to build up as well on Wednesday. Global Ship Lease Inc. announced its intent to price series B cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred stock.

Morgan Stanley is running the books.

A trader said at least $40 million shares are expected to price in the 8.75% area.

The deal is non-rated.

The London-based containership charter company said it will use proceeds from the offering to repurchase at a discount all of its outstanding series A preferreds.

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