Will 2024 finally be the Year of the Bond?
While most bond indices and funds posted modest positive returns during Q1, fixed income markets were volatile as investors continued to assess the likely path of central bank policy. Currently, markets have priced in 3-4 rate cuts in the U.S. and Canada
for 2024. However, there continues to be a wide spectrum of opinions – ranging from “no cuts at all” to 5+ cuts. Taken together, yields increased modestly in Q1, although this was partially offset by credit spreads tightening. The
market continues to be ripe for active management with plenty of pricing dislocations and relative value opportunities around new issuance.
We believe volatility will continue into the second quarter of this year, but in spite of this, we are very constructive on the bond market. Bond yields still look very attractive by historical standards, both on an absolute basis and relative to other
assets classes, and we continue to see opportunities to add significant value from security selection. Of specific note, we believe there are inconsistencies today in the valuations of private credit assets compared to public credit, and believe that
investors should be looking to public markets at this time for better mark-to-market risk-adjusted returns.
We have compiled the following five charts, which we think highlight some of the themes and opportunities we see in the current market environment as we head into Q2. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss these themes further
or learn more about how we could help you meet your investment objectives.
1. U.S. and Canadian Markets are Pricing in 3 Cuts for 2024, With the Terminal Rate in the 3-3.5% Range
At the start of the year, the market consensus was for 5-6 interest rate cuts in 2024, given the inflation trends at that point. The economic data ended up being more ambiguous, and as a result, expectations have moderated. North American bond markets are currently pricing in around three cuts for the remainder of the year, with the likelihood of further cuts beyond 2024. That said, we believe the path may continue to be bumpy on the road to a lower-rate environment.
2. All-In-Yields are Still Elevated for All Segments of the Fixed Income Market
Investors are still able to benefit from elevated yields across all segments of the fixed income markets, especially when compared to historical medians. We believe yields are particularly attractive in Investment Grade segments of the market compared to more subordinated or lower-rated segments. The majority of the yield increase has come from increases in risk-free rates rather than credit spreads.
3. Despite Record High Bond Issuance in Q1, Negative Net Issuance Expected in the Following Quarters
Q1 saw abundant issuance in the U.S. market, primarily driven by refinancing needs and elevated M&A activity. Going forward, however, net issuance for Investment Grade rated corporate bonds is expected to turn negative for the rest of 2024. This means the volume of coupon maturities and payments is expected to be greater than the volume of new bonds issued. This, combined with strong inflows into fixed income, presents a bullish set-up for credit spreads.
4. The Estimated Liquidity Premium for Private Credit Has Reduced Significantly Over the Last 24 Months
Today’s higher interest rate environment has diminished the estimated liquidity premium once offered by private debt to nearly nothing (by some estimates). Given this, we don’t believe investors should be locking up their capital in search of return as they can now achieve comparable expected returns by investing in more liquid, lower-risk asset classes. We believe actively managed public credit can strike the right balance, allowing you to obtain an attractive return without sacrificing liquidity or adding undue complexity.
5. Issuer Selection is Only Half the Game, Issue Selection in Fixed Income Can Be Just as Important
A recent study by Barclays aimed to quantify the importance of bond (individual security) selection, separate from the issuer selection decision. Barclays used data from 2005 to 2023 to determine the impact of security selection on alpha generation (excess
returns) across both Investment Grade and High Yield segments of the U.S. bond market.
The study found that alpha generated from bond selection contributed to ~40% of total alpha on average. This means it’s simply not enough to pick the right company – in order to optimize returns, it’s crucial to select the right securities
within that company’s capital structure. A manager’s expertise in doing this can play a significant role in their ability to generate outperformance for their clients.
