This stock offers limited prospects

Article Excerpt

You should remain wary of stocks that attract broker/media attention because of high-profile products or services and their business models. Here’s a closer look at one stock with risks that prospective investors should take into consideration: ALARIS EQUITY PARTNERS INCOME TRUST, $15.92, (Toronto symbol AD.UN; TSI Rating: Extra Risk) (Shares outstanding: 45.5 million; Market cap: $724.3 million; Dividend yield: 8.5%) lends money to its partners—private businesses—in exchange for distributions, dividends or interest. Its goal is to generate stable cash flows, so that it can provide shareholders with dividend payments. Alaris continues to provide funding to partner firms. They pay monthly distributions to Alaris, and the company adjusts the rates it charges annually based on certain criteria. They include changes in a client’s gross sales or profits. Alaris currently collects distributions from 22 private businesses, which go toward funding its own distributions to investors. Alaris currently yields a high 8.5%. That adds investor appeal, but this is a highly volatile, highly leveraged business model. The company’s focus…