Capital IdeasTM

Investment insights from Capital Group

Categories
Fixed Income
A more constructive outlook for corporate bonds, but caution is still warranted
Flavio Carpenzano
Investment Director
Peter Becker
Investment Director
July 5, 2022

It has been a difficult start to the year for investment grade corporate bonds, which returned -16.1% year to date1. As inflation jumped to the highest levels seen in decades in developed markets, major central banks have turned increasingly aggressive in their attempts to control it, gradually removing stimulus measures and raising interest rates. This has caused interest rate sensitive bonds, such as investment grade corporates, to sell-off. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has also contributed to an overall very volatile macroeconomic environment. As a result of the drastic revaluation, though, there is now arguably a much more attractive entry point for investors in investment grade corporate bonds.


More attractive valuations could present a good entry point for investors

Global investment grade spreads and yields

Constructive outlook for corporate bonds

Data as at 15 June 2022. Index used is the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Corporate Bond Index. The yield-to-worst is the lowest possible return over a particular period of time that can be received on a bond that fully operates within the terms of its contract without defaulting. The option-adjusted spread is the spread that accounts for the embedded optionality of some bonds. Source: Bloomberg

Companies also generally remain in good shape from a fundamental point of view. They continue to display healthy revenues and profit margins despite a higher inflationary and slowing growth environment.


Yields have reached levels not seen in more than 10 years although this was mostly driven by the rise in interest rates rather than spreads, which represent the perceived credit riskiness of bonds. At these higher yields investors now have the potential to earn more income from bonds in the future. Higher income can also offer more cushion for total returns over time, even if price movements remain volatile.


In addition, over a longer time frame the yield of a bond has turned out to be a good approximation of the total return that could be achieved. Therefore, at these levels, history would suggest potentially higher total returns over the next few years. The following chart shows the average 2-year and 5-year forward return (percent per annum) that has been achieved corresponding to the starting yield as at 15 June 2022. The total return on a bond is the function of price changes and interest paid — and the higher the starting yield of a bond the more it is cushioned from rising interest rates. However, the ride along the way could turn out to be a little bumpy.


Higher starting yields have boosted returns in the past

Average forward returns (% p.a.) at recent yield levels

Average forward returns at recent yield levels

Yields as at 15 June 2022. Returns as at 31 May 2022 in US dollar terms. Data goes back to 2000 for all sectors except for emerging markets, which goes back to 2003. Based on average monthly returns for each sector when in a +/- 0.30% range of yield to worst. Indices used (left to right) are Bloomberg Global Aggregate Corporate Index, Bloomberg Global High Yield Index, and 50% JPMorgan EMBI Global Diversified Index / 50% JPMorgan GBI-EM Global Diversified Index blend. High yield: lower quality bonds rated BB or below. Sources: Capital Group, Bloomberg, JPMorgan

The current macroeconomic environment, however, remains highly volatile and an overall cautious and slightly defensive stance is still warranted. Careful selection in companies and sectors remains key.


1. As at 15 June 2022 in USD terms. Index used is the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Corporate Index. Investment grade: higher quality bonds rated BBB or above. Sources: Barclays, Bloomberg


 


Flavio Carpenzano is an investment director at Capital Group. He has 18 years of industry experience and has been with Capital Group for two years. He holds a master's degree in finance and economics from Università Bocconi. Flavio is based in London. 

Peter Becker is an investment director at Capital Group. He has 27 years of industry experience and has been with Capital Group for five years. Prior to joining Capital, Peter was a managing director in the fixed income product management team at Wellington Management. Before that, he was a portfolio manager at Aberdeen Asset Management. He holds a master's degree from The Ingolstadt School of Management. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. Peter is based in London.

Learn more about
Fixed Income
Bonds
Market Volatility
Global
outlook

Our latest insights

RELATED INSIGHTS

Past results are not predictive of results in future periods. It is not possible to invest directly in an index, which is unmanaged. The value of investments and income from them can go down as well as up and you may lose some or all of your initial investment. This information is not intended to provide investment, tax or other advice, or to be a solicitation to buy or sell any securities.

Statements attributed to an individual represent the opinions of that individual as of the date published and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Capital Group or its affiliates. All information is as at the date indicated unless otherwise stated. Some information may have been obtained from third parties, and as such the reliability of that information is not guaranteed.

Capital Group manages equity assets through three investment groups. These groups make investment and proxy voting decisions independently. Fixed income investment professionals provide fixed income research and investment management across the Capital organization; however, for securities with equity characteristics, they act solely on behalf of one of the three equity investment groups.

Marketing communication

Past results are not a guarantee of future results. The value of investments and income from them can go down as well as up and you may lose some or all of your initial investment.

The information included on this site is of a general nature, and is not intended to provide investment, tax or other advice, or to be a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on the information you should consider its appropriateness, having regard to your own investment objectives, financial situation and needs. While Capital Group uses reasonable efforts to obtain information from third-party sources which it believes to be accurate, this cannot be guaranteed.

Statements attributed to an individual represent the opinions of that individual as of the date published and may not necessarily reflect the view of Capital Group or its affiliates. American Funds are not registered for sale outside of the United States.

This communication is issued by Capital International Management Company Sàrl (“CIMC”), 37A avenue J.F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg, unless otherwise specified, and is distributed for information purposes only. CIMC is regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (“CSSF” – Financial Regulator of Luxembourg) and is a subsidiary of the Capital Group Companies, Inc. (Capital Group).