10 Funds to Buy for High-Yield Preferred Stocks

Preferred stocks - a high-yield asset that's typically referred to as a stock-bond "hybrid" because it has characteristics of each - are treading water this year after a strong showing in 2017.

But that's OK. Preferred stocks typically aren't bought for upside potential - it's about stability and income. "Straight preferred stock funds without other equities are fixed-income securities with a low correlation to the stock market," says Jay Hatfield, founder and chief executive officer of Infrastructure Capital Advisors (InfraCap) and co-portfolio manager of the Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA). He adds that they can reduce portfolio volatility "and be used to rebalance during down markets."

Now might be the right time, considering the rising-interest-rate atmosphere. While preferreds "have long duration and are sensitive to movements in long-term interest rates," Hatfield and his team expect the 30-year Treasury to stay in the 3%-3.5% area, which means preferred stocks "will be attractive with yields of over 6%."

Eric Chadwick, president of preferred-stock specialist Flaherty & Crumrine, also downplays any interest-rate risk. "Preferreds tend to perform well relative to other fixed income in periods of rising interest rates, although the path may be bumpy along the way," Chadwick says, adding that preferreds tend to price in interest rate hikes early.

Here's a look at 10 funds that can help you jump on this income opportunity in preferred, too. Let's dig in: