Fixed Income Quarterly

Fixed income markets are pricing more than the path of interest rates: they are weighing growth, inflation, and governments’ capacity to manage rising debt. From US and Brazilian election uncertainty to Treasury supply and French bond market volatility, investors may want to consider balancing duration and credit risk while discerning headlines from fundamental change.

Are current rate levels justified by fundamentals and what are the implications for fixed income markets? In our view, higher rates are being driven by resilient nominal growth, fiscal pressures, and an energy shock, rather than a broad reacceleration in inflation.

Emerging market bonds have remained generally resilient despite a sustained oil shock, elevated geopolitical uncertainty, and tighter global financial conditions. Stronger policy frameworks, improved external balances, and healthier macroeconomic fundamentals have helped support performance this year.

Developed market fixed income continues to present what we believe are diverse opportunities across sectors. AI-related issuance is reshaping investment-grade credit markets, high-yield investors are navigating a rate-driven repricing with growing dispersion, and Swiss bonds remain a defensive anchor where stability and quality may prove more valuable than headline yield.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has reduced inflation concerns. While tight credit spreads limit upside, fundamentals and technicals remain supportive of fixed income markets. We are modestly constructive but cautious, particularly on private credit, where complacency around liquidity risks appears underappreciated.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz reignited inflation concerns and prompted major central banks into a more hawkish stance. While inflation has risen, we believe the shock is temporary, making further ECB and Fed tightening unlikely. An additional hike from the BoJ is likely, in our view, but it risks moving too slowly.

EM fixed income stayed resilient through the war-induced shock. As oil prices fell, inflation remained contained. Capital inflows resumed after a brief interruption and sovereign rating upgrades continued. We believe the asset class is supported by elevated global risk appetite, attractive local-currency yields, and diversification away from US assets.

The investment grade market faces an AI-driven supply surge as hyperscalers reshape credit dynamics. In high yield, surface stability masks elevated issuer dispersion and structural divergence, while CHF markets remain supported by benign inflation, strong demand, and favorable seasonal dynamics.

We believe EM fixed income is better positioned today than four years ago, despite uncertainty around the duration of the war and the disruption of oil supply. If de-escalation materializes in the short term, EM bonds may rebound amid a resumption of pre-war trends, including diversification away from US-centric portfolios.

In investment grade, several hyperscalers raised capex projections, driving record-breaking bond issuance. AI-related investments are heightening correlation risks and reshaping index compositions. In high yield, AI disruption creates risks and opportunities, particularly in software. The AI-capex trend has impacted the Swiss bond market, where new issuance remained elevated.

In the US and Japan, monetary policy is expected to support fiscal policy, even when central banks have other plans. Federal Reserve “Fed” Chair nominee Kevin Warsh's reform plans conflict with US President Donald Trump's preference for low rates, and the Bank of Japan's efforts to normalize policy clash with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's economic agenda.

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.