Fixed Income

A quarterly look at data and topics in the syndicated loan market.

Over 6,500 lines of data have been investigated, spanning back to 2004 to explore a comprehensive set of eight asset classes and their respective traits, highlighting return and volatility over various points in the cycle.

Most asset classes have earned strong total returns year to date and could continue to rally through year-end.

Investors may view emerging markets as particularly vulnerable to volatility, since the asset class typically sees outflows during times of market stress. However, emerging markets are not all one and the same.

Considering the current macroeconomic environment with little expectation for a rise in interest rates in the short term, insurers may want to consider a more dynamic approach to lock in spread levels.

Keving Kearns, Portfolio Manager and Senior Derivatives Strategist at Loomis, Sayles & Co, discusses the diversification and drawdown management benefits arising from balancing interest rates and credit risk through a multi-asset credit strategy.

The outlook for fixed income and equity market performance looks favorable. That said, risk asset valuations currently reflect a fairly benign macroeconomic environment.

Understanding Loomis Sayles' approach for investment grade corporates

MV Credit shares their thoughts about the European leveraged loan market

Going into 2019, trend following strategies are positioned for potential change.

VIDEO (34’43) – Vincent Chailley, CIO and portfolio Manager, H2O Asset Management

Many institutions, sovereign wealth funds and family offices ploughed in to government bonds 10-15 years ago when yields were attractive. Those bonds are now maturing and need replacing.

A buy and maintain strategy focuses on a desired level of income and aims to ensure the bond portfolio is not impacted by default risk as interest rates rise and economies overheat.

Ostrum AM uses its long-standing expertise in the management of fixed income products to develop an "Enhanced Beta" strategy that combines the benefits of active management and the smart beta approach.

A good match for fixed income investors' concerns.

Scorecard for unique Enhanced Beta investment strategy.

The high yield market can provide compelling investments within most stages of the economic cycle.

Compared to investment grade bonds, corporate loans provide a sizeable yield pick-up and excellent risk-return characteristics relative to other credit instruments.

Non-US investors could benefit from allocating to US municipal bonds.

Collateralised assets benefit insurers under Solvency II.

How to incorporate SCR constraints into the portfolio allocation for insurer.

Institutional investors embrace risk in pursuit of better returns and yield, finds Natixis Global Asset Management Survey.

Mirova discusses market standards and the lack of a regulatory body for Green Bonds.

Rapid growth of green bonds shows that investors are seizing the opportunity to drive energy transition.

How to get paid for scarce capital and liquidity.

Despite recent volatility, emerging debt still offers the potential of higher returns than developed market bonds.

Insurers need innovative investment strategies in response to regulation and low yields.

Private debt can be a lower-risk, higher-yielding alternative to traditional bonds.

Institutional investors are increasingly attracted by real asset private debt.

Q&A with Dr. Andrew Lo.

Improved assessment of carbon impact could spur ESG investment and drive innovation.

With the rise of artificial intelligence, nanotechnologies and genomics, we are at the dawn of a period of intense technological progress in life sciences.

Seeking to respond to rapid shifts in markets while reducing risk.

A fixed income strategy combining active management and smart beta.

New regulations raise the bar for liquidity management.