TwentyFour Strategic Income Strategy

In this Back to Basics webinar, Aza Teeuwen (Partner, Co-Head of ABS) and Douglas Charleston, (Partner, Co-Head of ABS) provided a comprehensive understanding of the key aspects and trends within the European RMBS market.

2023 proved to be a second year where European ABS gave investors the strongest returns in fixed income with the benefit of very low volatility. As risk-free rates grew to what we expect to be the peak, income was maximised whilst the various market pivots on rates came and went in the rear view mirror.

While bonds are once again finding their feet, investors have found themselves sitting on cash balances of 30% to 50%. This capital preservation trade has made perfect sense, but does it still make sense as we reach terminal rates?

It is our view that without a doubt 2022 was a year to forget for the bond market. Whether you held government bonds, high end corporate credit or riskier high yield paper, you would have taken a knock as steep increases in interest rates across the globe sent bond prices tumbling. 

After what can only be described as a relatively dire year for fixed income in 2022, during which spiralling inflation led to one of the most aggressive rate hiking cycles on record, we believe the market for bonds is now looking much healthier.

After a difficult 2022, bonds may be poised for unusually high returns compared to historic averages. And not just in the US -- we see opportunities in European CLOs and RMBS. They offer double digit yields for short-dated debt and look very attractive on a relative value basis compared to domestic credit.

Partner and Portfolio Manager Chris Bowie discusses recent Q1 events and gives an outlook for Investment Grade for the next quarter.

Roll-down is the capital gain created by the natural fall in a bond’s yield as it approaches maturity. As a fixed income investor, it is probably the most you will ever get paid for doing nothing.

2022 was the worst year for bonds in living memory. So, could 2023 be similarly bad for other asset classes? Chris Bowie looks at the case for short dated investment grade credit for 2023.

Given the recent headlines surrounding Credit Suisse and the decision from FINMA, the Swiss regulator, to write down CHF16 billion of Credit Suisse’s Additional Tier 1 debt to zero, we hosted a webinar looking at the possible wider implications of this write-down and what it could mean for fixed income investors.

European ABS proved to be a valuable allocation for fixed income investors last year and we think the asset class looks to be even stronger in 2023, with rates and spreads combining to create an attractive income landscape.

In our view, European credit now represents a strong medium term value opportunity that investors cannot afford to ignore.