Gaël Fichan

Head Fixed Income & Senior Portfolio Manager

What happened last week?

Central banks

The week was pivotal for central bank actions. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell adeptly navigated market expectations by holding key rates steady and maintaining the outlook for three rate cuts in 2024, set at 4.6%, but revised upward the rate expectations for 2025, 2026, and the long-term target to 2.6%. The Fed's primary takeaway is a recognition that inflation deceleration is more gradual than expected, necessitating further evidence of sustained reduction towards the Fed's target before considering policy easing. Powell also indicated an impending slowdown in the pace of quantitative tightening (QT) though without providing specific details. Following the Fed, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) unexpectedly reduced its key interest rate by 0.25% to 1.5%, driven by a significant downward adjustment in their inflation outlook. This move signals a likelihood of continued easing in June and September. Concurrently, the Bank of England (BoE) adopted a surprisingly dovish stance. Despite maintaining the key rate at 5.25%, no BoE member advocated for an increase, marking the first unanimous stance against hikes since September 2021. This development has led to a recalibration of market expectations, with the prospect of a rate cut now being considered as early as June (60% chance) or even May (35% chance). Earlier, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) concluded its negative interest rate policy (NIRP) by implementing a modest 10bps hike in key rates and its yield curve control (YCC) policy, while committing to continued bond purchases to prevent erratic increases in JGB yields. The BoJ's stance opens the door for further rate hikes, with the market anticipating three additional adjustments of 10bps each by the end of 2024.

Credit

The credit market continues to exhibit resilience, with significant portions of the spectrum on both sides of the Atlantic demonstrating strong performance last week. In the U.S., Investment Grade (IG) bonds advanced with a +0.6% gain, while U.S. High Yield (HY) Corporate Bonds increased by 0.9%, buoyed by favorable rate movements and a positive outlook in U.S. equities. Remarkably, the spread of the Bloomberg U.S. High Yield bond index narrowed below 300bps, closing at its tightest point (292bps) since January 2022. Similarly, the Bloomberg IG corporate bond index's spread concluded at 88bps, the most compressed level since December 2021. This tightening is supported by robust year-to-date inflows, with USD IG funds attracting $44 billion (2.3% of start of year AUM) and HY funds securing $4.2 billion (1.4% of beginning of year AUM). Furthermore, concerns over the U.S. HY maturity wall have significantly subsided, with issuers reportedly reducing their 2024-2026 maturity wall by 40% from a year ago, marking one of the most aggressive maturity extensions in junk bond market history. In Europe, IG bonds mirrored the U.S. performance with a +0.6% weekly gain, driven by unprecedented demand for European corporate bonds. The subscription ratios for EUR IG bonds have reached their highest in a decade at 3.79 times, with the average maturity of IG supply extending to 9 years in March 2024, the longest since the onset of the pandemic. However, European High Yield faced challenges, particularly among the weakest issuers (CCC-rated), which saw a -0.7% decline over the week. This downturn was propelled by renewed credit concerns, highlighted by significant drops in the senior unsecured debt of Altice France following debt restructuring announcements and Ardagh Packaging exploring its debt structure. These incidents have wiped out the year-to-date gains of CCC-rated bonds in Europe, which stood at +7% before last week.

Rates

This week, in the wake of a series of central bank meetings, government bonds experienced a positive performance across the board. U.S. Treasuries led with a commendable gain of +0.7%, accompanied by a 10bps decrease in the yield of the 10-year U.S. Treasury. Notably, the U.S. yield curve (2s10s) observed a slight steepening by 5bps to -37bps. Following the Federal Reserve's reaffirmation of three anticipated rate cuts in 2024, a move aligned with market forecasts, attention has gravitated towards the longer end of the yield curve. This segment has witnessed the most significant monthly outflows since January 2022, as indicated by the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF, highlighting investor hesitancy towards engaging with long-term Treasuries. Conversely, a significant drop in interest rate volatility, with the MOVE index descending to 90—the lowest since February 2022—signals a potential easing in market tensions, an essential indicator for multi-asset allocators monitoring shifts in market dynamics. In Europe, the bond performance mirrored that of the U.S., registering a +0.6% uplift for the iShares Core EUR Govt Bond ETF over the week. Peripheral spreads saw a modest widening, with the spread between the 10-year Italian and German yields expanding by 6bps to 130bps. This movement reflects a cautious market reaction to the broader European monetary landscape. The German 10-year government yield, in particular, benefited from the Swiss National Bank's unexpected rate cut, experiencing a 12bps decline to 2.32% over the week. This adjustment in the German yield underscores the interconnectedness of European bond markets and the potential for central bank policy decisions to influence yields across the continent.

Emerging market

Emerging market (EM) sovereign bonds emerged as the standout performers within EM fixed income, registering a +1.5% gain over the week. This uptick was bolstered by favorable movements in U.S. rates and a 10bps spread tightening to 325bps, marking the lowest level since January 2022. EM corporate bonds also posted a solid +0.6% gain, with spreads remaining stable throughout the week. A notable trend in Asia saw BoFA Asia EM corporate spreads tightening for 19 consecutive weeks, culminating in their lowest level since July 2007. Meanwhile, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) made significant adjustments to the daily reference rate, the most considerable shift since early February, hinting at Beijing's tacit approval for further currency depreciation amid an uneven economic recovery. Consequently, the 2-year China yield plummeted to 1.985% this week, the lowest since June 2020. The China real estate bond sector witnessed a pivotal moment as Fitch downgraded the state-backed developer Vanke, the country's second-largest by sales, to Junk status. In Latin America, both the Brazilian Central Bank (BCB) and the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) enacted key rate cuts. Banxico reduced its key rates by 25bps to 11%, marking the first cut since 2021, driven by positive inflation trends and a strengthening Peso. The BCB followed suit, lowering its key rate by 50bps to 10.75%, although adopting a more hawkish stance by shortening its forward guidance in light of rising inflation figures. The Brazilian real rate remains significantly restrictive at 7%, compared to the 4.5% neutral rate defined by the BCB. In Chile, investors in the mobile operator WOM have engaged a legal adviser in anticipation of potential debt negotiations, leading to a significant drop in the value of its USD bonds. Turkey's central bank delivered a surprise move, increasing its key rate by 5% to 50% and expanding its interest rate corridor to +/-300-bps from +/- 150 bps. This substantial hike, prompted by the Turkish Lira's recent weakness and a resurgence in inflation, underscores the country's ongoing economic challenges and the central bank's assertive response to stabilize the currency and curb inflationary pressures.


Our view on fixed income (March)

Rates
NEUTRAL

For government bonds with maturities of less than 10 years, we hold a neutral stance. This position is supported by the presence of high real yields, an anticipated peak in central bank’s tightening, a shift towards disinflation, their relative value when compared to equities, and an improvement in correlations. On the other hand, we exercise caution towards bonds with maturities exceeding 10 years. The presence of an inverted yield curve and negative term premiums diminishes their appeal, especially amidst ongoing interest rate volatility.

Investment Grade
NEUTRAL
We are more cautious on IG corporate bonds. The sharp tightening in credit spreads, reaching lowest level since 2021, has considerably reduced the margin for safety in credit. Spreads now represent less than 20% in the total yield of an investment grade bond. This “price to perfection” encourages us to be more vigilant in this segment.
High Yield
CAUTIOUS

High yield bonds could come under pressure in this very uncertain environment. Recession fears, expectations of higher default rates and one of the most aggressive monetary policies are expected to weigh on this segment. The current valuation of U.S. high yield spreads implies modest default rates and the absence of inflation slippage, or a near-term recession.

 

 

Emerging Markets
NEUTRAL
Our stance remains neutral towards Emerging Market debt, specifically targeting bonds with maturities of up to 4 years and yields exceeding 6.5%. This cautious optimism is moderated by the recognition that spreads in EM corporate bonds are at their narrowest since 2018, necessitating vigilant valuation and risk assessments.

The Chart of the week

US High Yield Spreads Break Below 300bps: A Sign of Market Optimism?

20240322_cow

Source: Bloomberg

The US high yield market's spread dipping below 300bps for the first time since January 2022 signals heightened optimism, underpinned by expectations of a robust economy even as the Fed plans three rate cuts in 2024. This bullish stance has propelled the Bloomberg US High Yield Corporate Bonds Index to a performance above 1% YTD, outshining both government and corporate bonds, which remain in negative territory. Yet, this enthusiasm raises critical questions: Are market sentiments overly optimistic, or do they accurately reflect confidence in the Fed's measures to sustain economic growth? This discrepancy between high yield performance and broader market trends invites a closer examination of whether current investor optimism merits a reality check or aligns with the economic outlook's underlying strength.

Disclaimer

This marketing document has been issued by Bank Syz Ltd. It is not intended for distribution to, publication, provision or use by individuals or legal entities that are citizens of or reside in a state, country or jurisdiction in which applicable laws and regulations prohibit its distribution, publication, provision or use. It is not directed to any person or entity to whom it would be illegal to send such marketing material. This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, solicitation or recommendation for the subscription, purchase, sale or safekeeping of any security or financial instrument or for the engagement in any other transaction, as the provision of any investment advice or service, or as a contractual document. Nothing in this document constitutes an investment, legal, tax or accounting advice or a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate for an investor's particular and individual circumstances, nor does it constitute a personalized investment advice for any investor. This document reflects the information, opinions and comments of Bank Syz Ltd. as of the date of its publication, which are subject to change without notice. The opinions and comments of the authors in this document reflect their current views and may not coincide with those of other Syz Group entities or third parties, which may have reached different conclusions. The market valuations, terms and calculations contained herein are estimates only. The information provided comes from sources deemed reliable, but Bank Syz Ltd. does not guarantee its completeness, accuracy, reliability and actuality. Past performance gives no indication of nor guarantees current or future results. Bank Syz Ltd. accepts no liability for any loss arising from the use of this document.

Read More

Straight from the Desk

Syz the moment

Live feeds, charts, breaking stories, all day long.

Thinking out loud

Sign up for our weekly email highlighting the most popular posts.

Follow us

Thinking out loud

Investing with intelligence

Our latest research, commentary and market outlooks