Ep. 35: De-Risking Playbook, BDC Yield Pressure & Auto-Callable Income Innovation

In this episode, we break down 9 institutional analyses covering: • **De-Risking Playbook** — 5 scenarios: AI bubble fears, job insecurity, retirement danger zone, risk tolerance reassessment, recession fears. Buffered ETFs (PMAY, BALT), defensive sectors, quality bonds • **BIZD Yield Under Pressure** — 9.3% yield but rate cuts compressing BDC floating-rate loan income. ARCC yield dropped 11.1% to 10.3%. BIZD down 15% in price, offsetting income • **International Outperformance** — VEA returned 30.4% in past year, 3 bps fees. JPM projects 7.5% annual returns vs 6.7% for S&P 500. Currency tailwind with euro at $1.15 • **Trinity Capital Deep Dive** — TRIN 14.3% yield, 106% coverage, interest rate floors, sub-1% non-accruals. Internally managed, low software exposure. But thin margin if rates keep falling • **OVL Overlay ETF** — 10.41% monthly distribution, outperformed S&P 500 (167% vs 155% since inception). Option premium overlay on large cap equities • **CAIQ Auto-Callables** — 17.7% coupon, -30% barrier, 97% historical coupon reliability, ~90% return of capital tax treatment. New income structure vs covered calls • **JPI/DIVO/PDI Showdown** — PDI's 15.2% yield is 25% return of capital. JPI best drawdown protection (13.7%). DIVO best Sharpe ratio (0.94). You can only pick 2 of 3: yield, total return, protection • **Morningstar Dividend Picks** — APD (44-yr streak, $309 FV), FIS (10% dividend raise, $85 FV), RHHBY (wide moat healthcare, $57 FV) • **Q1 2026 Winners** — Energy dominated: XLE +31%, XOP +41%, USO +83%. Utilities +10% on AI/data center demand. SCHD +9.4%, gold recovered +7% Sources compiled from Kiplinger, Morningstar, 247 Wall St, Dividend Collection Agency, ETF Investments, and YouTube deep dives.