Introductory Comments by Marc Joffe
Axios Advisors released an in-depth report on Puerto Rico bonds today, and it is should be required reading for anyone with exposure to the Commonwealth’s debt.
As the Axios report shows, Puerto Rico’s debt profile and prospects are sobering – far worse than any state. For example, the Commonwealth’s Debt to GDP ratio is 105%. Latest Census figures (as of FY 2010) show no US state exceeding a Debt to GSP ratio of 20%. Further, Axios reports that Puerto Rico’s five public employee pension systems have funding ratios of between 7% and 21% – also far worse than any US state.
Despite its enormous debt load, Puerto Rico does not appear to have high default risk. The Axios report concurs with the major rating agencies, all of which assign PR low investment grade ratings in the BBB/Baa range. While reaching a similar credit opinion, the Axios report contains considerable detail to enable readers to form their own views.
The Commonwealth can perform on its large stock of bonds due to today’s low interest rate environment. However, with a recent 10-year spread of 275 bps over Treasuries, it does not benefit as much from the Fed’s quantitative easing policies as other large municipal issuers. US states –even those that frequently receive negative press (like Illinois) – face lower rates than Puerto Rico.
The fact that the Commonwealth continues to perform and continues to earn an investment grade ratings shows just how safe state bonds are. Since every state faces lower interest rates and much lower levels of debt than PR, none face any material chance of default in the near to intermediate future.
One reason that Puerto Rico has accumulated so much debt is that it lacks a constitutional balanced budget amendment. PR has run operating deficits every fiscal year since 2002. A number of these annual deficits exceeded 10% of operating revenue. The Commonwealth’s debt mountain is testimony to the power of strong debt restrictions.
//
Trusted & Regulated Stock & CFD Brokers
What we like
- 0% Fees on Stocks
- 5000+ Stocks, ETFs and other Markets
- Accepts Paypal Deposits
Min Deposit
$200
Charge per Trade
Zero Commission on real stocks
64 traders signed up today
Visit Now67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Available Assets
- Total Number of Stocks & Shares5000+
- US Stocks
- German Stocks
- UK Stocks
- European
- ETF Stocks
- IPO
- Funds
- Bonds
- Options
- Futures
- CFDs
- Crypto
Charge per Trade
- FTSE 100 Zero Commission
- NASDAQ Zero Commission
- DAX Zero Commission
- Facebook Zero Commission
- Alphabet Zero Commission
- Tesla Zero Commission
- Apple Zero Commission
- Microsoft Zero Commission
Deposit Method
- Wire Transfer
- Credit Cards
- Bank Account
- Paypall
- Skrill
- Neteller
What we like
- Sign up today and get $5 free
- Fractals Available
- Paypal Available
Min Deposit
$0
Charge per Trade
$1 to $9 PCM
Visit Now
Investing in financial markets carries risk, you have the potential to lose your total investment.
Available Assets
- Total Number of Shares999
- US Stocks
- German Stocks
- UK Stocks
- European Stocks
- EFTs
- IPOs
- Funds
- Bonds
- Options
- Futures
- CFDs
- Crypto
Charge per Trade
- FTSE 100 $1 - $9 per month
- NASDAQ $1 - $9 per month
- DAX $1 - $9 per month
- Facebook $1 - $9 per month
- Alphabet $1 - $9 per month
- Telsa $1 - $9 per month
- Apple $1 - $9 per month
- Microsoft $1 - $9 per month
Deposit Method
- Wire Transfer
- Credit Cards
- Bank Account
Share
