Key points
The weakness and volatility investors have experienced in most mainstream liquid asset classes in 2022 may have left them feeling downbeat, but also confused and concerned about what to do next. Drawdowns in credit markets particularly have been substantial this year, even in the high-quality investment grade (IG) space.
High yield (HY) sectors have suffered even greater volatility and setbacks. The negative returns generated by widening credit spreads have been exacerbated by rising government bond yields, and as central bank attempts to fight inflation, official interest rate have been increasing too. This uncertainty is reflected in market volatility with global equities and bonds variously experiencing some high levels of volatility.
Historically, yield levels have trended lower over the last 40 years reflecting a wider decline in inflation. Ultra-loose monetary policies and bond buying programs provided more downward pressure on interest rates. In some countries both short-term and long-term rates fell below zero. The ‘hunt for yield’ forced many investors requiring income streams to move into longer-term bonds and/or weaker credits.
Yet times are changing.
The recent surge in inflation is greater than anything experienced globally since the early 1990s and many market participants are experiencing near double-digit percentage inflation rates for the first time in their working lives. Few expect a rapid reversal to the previous range below two per cent anytime soon.
A new paradigm
Many countries also now face the risk of wage inflation - especially those with tight labor markets. If this risk materializes, it could fuel longer-term inflationary impetus and force central banks to raise interest rates even more aggressively.
Against this backdrop, more bonds are providing yields above threshold levels. And while inflation may take a while to be reconquered, this particular cloud may prove to have a silver lining as yields rise to attractive levels in both the investment grade and high yield market. Without the extensive support central banks provided to the economy and corporate sector through quantitative easing and ultra-loose monetary policy, strong returns from equities also may be harder to achieve, with markets becoming more volatile.
Fixed income instruments may have an advantage going forward in the prevailing environment, as their returns tend to be more predictable and reliable than equities as they are primarily dependent on coupon, rather than price appreciation.
Recent fixed income market weakness does not diminish the important strategic roles the asset class can play in broad and diversified investment plans.
Rising yields
For investors seeking or relying on fixed income assets providing an income stream, higher absolute levels of yields may be welcomed as it becomes possible to gain higher levels of income for every pound, euro or dollar invested.
This means that investors who have an income stream as an objective may be able to enjoy generating a higher income from their investment, achieving a given income with less investment committed, or some combination of both. Yields for most, if not all types of bonds, have risen in the course of 2022, in some cases significantly.
Given credit spreads are close to their widest levels for five years. We believe this could provide an attractive entry point, potentially allowing clients to achieve their target income level with a higher credit quality than would have been possible for some considerable time.
In turn, as opportunities for higher income have arisen, so has the potential for achieving overall returns from the market – beta. Capital gains may be achieved if bond markets recover, and yield levels begin to decline. From a higher base, there is now probably greater potential and scope for yield levels to fall back, generating capital gains as values increase, than there was at the start of the year, or for some time before that.
As absolute yields have risen and spread levels widened, we believe markets generally have become more attractive from a value perspective.
Elsewhere, the increase in the volatility of fixed income markets in recent months has, if anything, increased the opportunities to generate potential alpha. In our opinion, recent volatility and rising inflation may have even enhanced them. Not only have yields increased and credit spreads widened but the dispersion of spreads within similar categories, such as credit rating bands, or industry sectors, has also increased.
From a liability management perspective, higher yield levels provide a more attractive entry point for cashflow driven investment (CDI) mandates, which helps to increase outcome certainty, as they should be largely indifferent to future yield and credit spread fluctuations. More broadly, fixed income assets can be a useful diversifier and are often considered helpful in managing risk in a broad investment plan that includes other asset classes, such as equities, if its inclusion can reduce the overall volatility of returns. In turn, combining lowly correlated assets in a broader investment portfolio can help to reduce overall scheme volatility.
Potential strengths
In overview, fixed income is expected to continue providing for the benefits of diversification, risk management and liability hedging strategies in addition to returns and income. Now that yields have risen and credit spreads widened, they may be offering appealing entry points for investors who until recently may have felt constrained in certain areas of the market due to low yields and compressed spreads.
However, we believe it will still be important to ensure that, when identifying the mix of investment strategies for a wider platform, the blend of risk and reward suits the investor, and the prospective time horizon is also likely to have an important part to play in the decision. Overall, though inflation and monetary tightening has helped drive bond yields higher and spreads wider, we believe the medium-term future is now more promising. Investors may soon be rewarded by a market that could begin emerging like a proverbial phoenix from the flames.
Disclosures
All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Certain investments have specific or unique risks that should be considered along with the objectives, fees, and expenses before investing.
This material has been provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular investment product, strategy, investment manager or account arrangement, and should not serve as a primary basis for investment decisions. Prospective investors should consult a legal, tax or financial professional in order to determine whether any investment product, strategy or service is appropriate for their particular circumstances. Views expressed are those of the author stated and do not reflect views of other managers or the firm overall. Views are current as of the date of this publication and subject to change. This information contains projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events, targets or expectations, and is only current as of the date indicated. There is no assurance that such events or expectations will be achieved, and actual results may be significantly different from that shown here. The information is based on current market conditions, which will fluctuate and may be superseded by subsequent market events or for other reasons. References to specific securities, asset classes and financial markets are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be and should not be interpreted as recommendations. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission.
Recent market risks include pandemic risks related to COVID-19. The effects of COVID-19 have contributed to increased volatility in global markets and will likely affect certain countries, companies, industries and market sectors more dramatically than others.
Bonds are subject to interest rate, credit, liquidity, call and market risks, to varying degrees. Generally, all other factors being equal, bond prices are inversely related to interest-rate changes and rate increases can cause price declines.
BNY Mellon Investment Management is one of the world’s leading investment management organizations, encompassing BNY Mellon’s affiliated investment management firms and global distribution companies. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and may also be used as a generic term to reference the Corporation as a whole or its various subsidiaries generally.
Investment advisory services in North America are provided by Insight North America LLC, a registered investment adviser and regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Insight North America LLC is associated with other global investment managers that also (individually and collectively) use the corporate brand Insight Investment and may be referred to as "Insight" or "Insight Investment." Insight and BNY Mellon Securities Corporation are subsidiaries of BNY Mellon.
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