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What the ‘next normal’ means for fixed income: reimagining core bonds
Keiyo Hanamura
Investment Director
April 10, 2023

After three years of COVID, roller-coaster economies, inflation and central banks’ frantic fight against an uncertain future, it appears we may finally return to the world we used to know. The “new normal” – where rates are low, volatility subdued, and investors are willing to take on more risk – could yet return. But can it be so simple? After all the upheaval, are we really returning to the pre-COVID era?


We could be entering a new regime, where inflation is expected to be higher and central banks may be more reluctant to ease. As a result, fixed income may continue to see the return of yields, even in the safest assets. With a higher level of yields and a more balanced Fed/ healthy economic cycle, the largest bond allocation might finally fulfil its traditional roles, of producing income and offering diversification from equities. This is the “normal” investment director Keiyo Hanamura believes we will eventually arrive at. But, in the short to medium term, we are in the midst of a transition period as we allow rate hikes to work through the system.


Keiyo Hanamura is an investment director at Capital Group. He has 16 years of investment industry experience and has been with Capital Group for six years. Prior to joining Capital, Keiyo worked as a fixed income product strategist at BlackRock. He holds a master's degree in international affairs from the University of California, San Diego and a bachelor's degree in international studies from the University of Iowa. Keiyo is based in Tokyo.

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