Fixed Income Quarterly

Looking ahead, we expect continued inflows, rising demand, and reduced supply to support EM hard-currency bonds. For EM local-currency bonds, we believe the current macroeconomic environment remains favorable, despite our conviction in a USD bear market being lower than it was a few months ago.

As we approach 2026, Fixed Income markets are shaped by weaker fundamentals, though lower uncertainty may reduce the likelihood of a catastrophic decline. That said, volatility will remain a defining feature. We believe the year ahead holds great potential for active managers who remain steady at the wheel: cautious but nimble.

The surge in AI capex is driving a rapid increase in bond issuance in the investment grade market. High yield bonds are on track to generate solid returns for 2025; we continue to favor telecoms and energy. The Swiss bond market has once again moved to its own rhythm.

In a K-shaped economy, high-income earners and large corporations thrive while low-income groups and small businesses struggle. This divergence challenges the Fed, as its policy decisions traditionally rely on GDP, unemployment rates, and inflation. However, K-shaped dynamics are often hidden behind these aggregate measures.

Strong performance of EM local currency bonds has been driven by a bearish US dollar and fundamental factors supporting sustainable appreciation toward a stronger equilibrium.

With strong fundamentals, broad region and sector diversification, and a track record of weathering financial crises, emerging-market investment-grade (EM IG) bonds have evolved into a high-quality asset class, in our view. Yet, despite a robust risk-return profile, EM IG remains significantly underrepresented in actively managed, dedicated strategies.

Accelerating rating upgrades and renewed inflows into the asset class are likely to support EM spreads relative to their historical levels and other credit markets. Absent a major global shock, we expect EM bonds to remain resilient, offering stable carry even if capital appreciation becomes more difficult to capture.

Recent market volatility has reinforced the value of alpha over beta. While markets rebounded from recent lows, risks persist – from uncertain trade policy to concerns about debt sustainability. But fixed income remains resilient. We are finding opportunities in local currency EM debt, US high yield, and European investment grade credit.

We remain cautiously optimistic about Fixed Income returns. Tail risks are elevated, which dampens our confidence in “risk on” markets. But alpha opportunities still await risk-aware, active investors. Those who try to predict the next major macro shift may find themselves echoing Luke Skywalker’s words, “your overconfidence is your weakness.”

Conditions are currently favorable across fixed income markets. But pockets of volatility and risk aversion will challenge even the most skilled investors. The silver lining? We expect risk-conscious, active investors can generate alpha opportunities in 2025 similar to those achieved this year.

Find your footing amid ever-changing conditions with Vontobel’s new Fixed Income Quarterly. The launch edition finds our Fixed Income team feeling very balanced, very buoyant, and very bold. Read on to discover why.