Important information

Please read this page before proceeding, as it explains certain restrictions imposed by law on the distribution of this information and the countries in which our funds are authorised for sale. It is your responsibility to be aware of and to observe all applicable laws and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction.

By confirming that you have read this important information and the terms and conditions, you also confirm that you agree that such terms and conditions will apply to any subsequent access to the Individual Investors section of this website by you, and that all such subsequent access will be subject to the disclaimers, risk warnings and other information set out herein.

i) you understand this website uses cookies to ensure that we give you the best browsing experience on our website. If you continue browsing, we consider that you accept the use of these cookies. To manage your cookies you can also use our automated/online tool which is available by clicking   located at the bottom right hand side of your screen. View the cookies policy of this website

Legal and Regulatory Information

Accuracy of information; changes

Whilst considerable care has been taken to ensure the information contained within this website is accurate and up-to-date, no warranty, guarantee or representation is given as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any information and no liability is accepted for any errors or omissions in such information. The information included on this site has been produced by Capital International Management Company Sàrl (“CIMC”), which is regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (“CSSF” – Financial Regulator of Luxembourg) and its affiliates, as appropriate (“Capital Group”). Any reproduction, disclosure or dissemination of these materials by you is prohibited.

Some of the information on this website may contain projections or other forward looking statements regarding future events or future financial performance of countries, markets or companies. These statements are only predictions, opinions or estimates made on a general basis and actual events or results may differ materially. No information on this site constitutes investment, tax, legal or any other advice.

All investment strategies, products and services referred to on this website are subject to change without notice. Capital Group may amend the website (including this Legal Information section) and our investment strategies, products and services at any time with or without notice to the user. Capital Group is under no obligation to update the website or to correct inaccuracies which may become apparent. Capital Group shall have no liability for any direct, indirect, consequential or special losses or damages of any kind whatsoever arising from or in connection with any use of the website or its contents.

No information, whether oral or written, obtained by you through or from this site or from any conversation with Capital Group staff or a professional consultant will have the effect of varying this Legal Information.

Not an offer

This website (and the information contained therein) is provided for information purposes only, and does not constitute either an offer, invitation, inducement or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or investment product nor is it a recommendation for any security or investment product. The information contained on this website is not directed at or intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any jurisdiction or country where such use or distribution would be contrary to any applicable local law or regulation or would subject Capital Group to any registration or licensing requirement in such jurisdiction. It is your responsibility to inform yourself of any applicable legal and regulatory restrictions and to ensure that your access and use of this information does not contravene any such restrictions and to observe all applicable laws and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction. Professional advice should be sought in cases of doubt, as any failure to do so may constitute a breach of the securities laws in any such jurisdiction.

.Potential investors should read the terms and conditions in the relevant offering materials carefully before any investment is made. Investors should be aware that this website may not provide all the information which is necessary or desirable to make such a decision and should undertake their own due diligence.

The funds referred to herein are offered, as part of a formal process, by their current prospectuses only. The prospectuses and key investor information documents contain more complete information about these funds and should be read carefully in conjunction with the latest annual and semi-annual reports before investing. Depending on the countries where the funds are offered, the prospectuses are supplemented by an addendum containing supplementary information required by the regulations of such jurisdictions. However, prospectuses and other information relating to these funds will not be distributed to persons in any country where such distribution would be contrary to local law or regulation. Capital Group will not at any time be arranging on behalf of the individual investor.
The contents of this website have been approved by Capital International Management Company Sàrl and is only to be accessed and viewed by (and the investment opportunities described in it are only available to) limited categories of persons in the UK and in other jurisdictions.

The funds referred to on the website are Luxembourg-registered UCITS, which are registered in each of the relevant jurisdictions under the applicable local laws and regulations. Investors should be aware that protections provided by relevant local laws and regulations may not apply to investment in the funds. It is your responsibility to be aware of the applicable laws and regulations of your country of residence. In particular, UK investors should note that holdings or investments in the funds will not be covered under UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Investors will have no right of cancellation under FCA’s Cancellation and Withdrawal rules.

The funds referred to herein are not registered under the United States Investment Company Act of 1940 and securities issued by the funds are not registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933. This is not an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, the securities of any fund in the United States, its territories, possessions or protectorates under its jurisdiction nor to nationals, citizens or residents in any one of those areas.

Capital Group will not regard any person who accesses this website as its client in relation to any of the investment products or services detailed in the website, unless expressly agreed. Capital Group will not be responsible to any individual for providing them the same protections as are offered to its clients. Capital Group shall not be undertaking arranging activities at any time on the behalf of individuals electing to access the website.

No investment advice

The website is provided for information purposes only. Nothing on this website will constitute legal, tax or investment advice or recommendations. The products described may not be available to, or suitable for, all investors. In addition, current levels, bases and reliefs from tax depend on individual circumstances, which may also change in the future. Investors should not invest in the funds unless they understand its nature and the extent of their exposure to risk. Independent professional advice from a suitable authorised person, including tax advice, should be sought before making an investment decision.

Investment risk

The value of any investment made in the funds or otherwise and the income from such can go down as well as up, and the investor may not get back the full amount invested. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Changes in the rate of exchange may also cause the value of overseas investments to go up or down. Funds that invest in asset classes carrying greater risk, such as emerging markets, high yield securities and securities of small capitalisation companies may have a higher risk of loss of capital.

Third party websites

Capital Group accepts no responsibility for any information contained in any website accessed via a hyperlink from this website. No other person/company may link their website into Capital Group's website without the express written permission of Capital Group. The content, accuracy and opinions expressed in such websites are not checked, analysed, monitored or endorsed by us. Access to any third party website is at the user’s own risk.

Third party content

Materials and information distributed by Capital Group, whether in hard copy, website or electronic format, include general news and information, commentary, interactive tools, quotes, research reports and data concerning the financial markets, securities and other subjects. Some of this content is supplied by third parties ("Third Party Content") that are not affiliated with Capital Group (each a "Third Party Content Provider"). Third Party Content is being provided for non-commercial purposes only and may not be copied, used or distributed without the permission of the relevant Third Party Content Provider. Third Party Content may be protected by United States or international copyrights. Third Party Content may not be copied, used or distributed without the permission of the relevant Third Party Content Provider. All trademarks and service marks appearing on this site are the exclusive property of their respective owners. These provisions are not intended to, and will not, transfer or grant any rights in or to the Third Party Content, and the relevant Third Party Content Provider reserves all such rights. Capital Group's use of any Third Party Content is not intended to imply that any Third Party Content Provider sponsors, endorses, sells or promotes any Capital Group investment strategies, products or services. Third Party Content is provided on an "AS IS" basis and Third Party Content Providers shall have no liability for monetary damages on account of the Third Party Content provided herein.

Enforcement of terms and conditions

These terms and conditions are governed and interpreted pursuant to the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. If any part of these terms and conditions is deemed to be unlawful, void or unenforceable, that part will be deemed severable and will not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions. None of these terms and conditions are enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by a person who is not a party to its terms.

Switzerland Only 

Capital International Sàrl is responsible for the content of this website in Switzerland.
The Funds listed on this website are authorized by the Swiss Financial Market Authority (FINMA) for distribution in or from Switzerland. Capital International Sàrl, 3 Place des Bergues, 1201 Geneva, is the Funds’ Representative in Switzerland and JPMorgan (Suisse) SA, 8 rue de la Confédération, 1204 Geneva, acts as their Swiss Paying Agent. The prospectus, the key investor information documents, the articles of incorporation, the latest annual and semi-annual reports of the Fund can be obtained through this website and upon request free of charge from the Swiss Representative.

Cookies

This site uses cookies. The cookies we use are to help make the website more user-friendly. You are not required to accept cookies, and you may delete and block cookies from this site. To find out more about cookies on this website and how to delete cookies, see our cookie policy.

I have read and accept the terms and conditions of this site.

Capital IdeasTM

Investment insights from Capital Group

Categories
Fixed Income
Income as the anchor of a portfolio amid volatility
Flavio Carpenzano
Investment Director
July 21, 2022
KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • The extent of the sell-off in fixed income markets has been both large and rare relative to history, with returns across bond markets hitting historical lows.
  • Yields have increased sharply alongside more hawkish central banks, creating an attractive entry point for investors.
  • Volatility is expected to remain high, but income return could provide a buffer for volatile price movements going forward.

It’s been a turbulent start to the year for fixed income markets


As shown in the following graph, fixed income markets have experienced one of the most, if not the most, turbulent period in history. To put it in perspective, US Treasuries returned -9.1% during the first six months of 20221, which is the worse six months rolling return since 1973. Such a negative return in a period where risky asset classes also sold-off significantly has put into question the role of


bonds as a diversifier from equities. Bond markets were affected by a sharp and rapid increase in interest rates triggered by more hawkish central banks whose priority suddenly shifted towards fighting worrisome high inflation.


However, the severity of losses in terms of total returns for bonds in a rising interest rate environment depends on three main factors: 1) the magnitude of the increase; 2) the speed of the increase and; 3) the starting level of yields. The slower the pace of interest rate increases, the more income fixed income assets can accrue to offset the loss arising from rising interest rates. For example, during the 2015 to 2018 interest rate-hiking cycle, it took a year before the US Federal Reserve (Fed) undertook its second hike and a total of 36 months for interest rates to be hiked by 225 basis points (bps).


In contrast, the first half of 2022 was the perfect storm for fixed income markets where all three factors mentioned above came together and acted as a headwind. In fact, since the beginning of the year the yield on 2 year US Treasuries – used as proxy for expected future Fed hikes – has increased significantly (around 220bps), rapidly (in only six months) and from a very low starting yield (only 0.73%) which did not provide any cushion for such an extreme and fast market move2.This is the main reason for the significant mark-to-market losses bonds experienced so far this year.


US Treasuries 6-months rolling returns distribution since 1973

Past results are not a guarantee of future results.
Return distribution of the Bloomberg US Treasury Index from 30 June 1973 to 30 June 2022.
Based on monthly data. Source: Bloomberg

1. As at 30 June 2022 as measured by the Bloomberg US Treasury Index. Source: Bloomberg


2. As at 30 June 2022. Starting yield of the generic US 2yrs Treasury (USGG2YR) at 0.73% as at 31 December 2021. Source: Bloomberg


 


Risk factors you should consider before investing:

  • This material is not intended to provide investment advice or be considered a personal recommendation.
  • 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.
  • Past results are not a guide to future results.
  • If the currency in which you invest strengthens against the currency in which the underlying investments of the fund are made, the value of your investment will decrease. Currency hedging seeks to limit this, but there is no guarantee that hedging will be totally successful.
  • Depending on the strategy, risks may be associated with investing in fixed income, emerging markets and/or high-yield securities; emerging markets are volatile and may suffer from liquidity problems.

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. 

Learn more about
Fixed Income
Bonds
Market Volatility
Download PDF

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.