Investors are looking to exit from preference shares. Investors primarily used to invest in preference shares as dividend income was tax-free up to Rs 10 lakh, and thereafter, it was to be taxed at 10 per cent. Technically, post budget, there is parity between interest and dividend income.
Tax-free bonds are the only instruments which are truly tax free and will carry that status till maturity as it was approved by parliament. There is interest amongst investors in these bonds especially after the budget, when dividend from preference shares started getting taxed, as per tax slab.
After the debacle of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) in 2018, the magnitude of defaults increased as names with good credit ratings joined the list of defaulters. This spooked bond investors’ sentiment further.
Investing in SIB Tier 1 bond that yields 13.75 per cent could be a good investment now given the fact that SIB has a good track record and has been reporting profit quarter after quarter.