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Fixed Income

Not Just Any Yield

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The surge in bond valuations over the past year has driven income potential down for most traditional fixed income investors. Real (inflation-adjusted) yields have now fallen to negative levels in every developed market. As such, it has not been an easy time for fixed income investors looking to put money to work.

 

In recent months, Citi’s Global Investment Committee has turned to underweight global fixed income as yields drop to record-lows. While avoiding negative-yield bonds in local markets, investors should also be mindful of not just chasing any yield.

 

High Yield (HY):

Citi analysts are neutral on the global HY segment. In US HY, default rates near 2.5% are well below historical averages. Spreads are tight, though could face pressure if trade tensions escalate or growth data weakens. BB-rated yields are historically low, but Citi analysts prefer to keep HY bond quality high and duration short. Euro HY has gained 8.5% in the year-to-date, having indirectly benefited from the low/negative yield environment in the region and quantitative easing from the European Central Bank. Selectivity is particularly important when investing in lower rated issuers.

 

 

Investment Grade (IG):

Citi analysts expect that the next 12-months returns for US IG corporates are unlikely to be as robust as their performance so far (13.5% year-to-date). However, consistent with the preference in building high quality fixed-income portfolios, the segment remains overweight within the global fixed income space as it offers some of the best high quality yield opportunities. As policy rates are expected to drift lower, US IG bonds are also the preferred market for duration extension as curves are relatively less flat and investors are rewarded for wider spreads in longer maturities. Better value is seen in 5-10 year maturities.

 

With the year’s strong movements in fixed income markets, portfolio review is important to ensure that specific asset classes are not over-exposed.

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