September Fixed Income Outlook in 5 Charts
September 12, 2019 By Sage Advisory
1. The New York Fed has placed a roughly 40% probability that there will be a recession in the next 12 months.
2. Higher economic risk and lower rate expectations has been positive for high-quality core fixed income, but it is not a good combination for lower-quality spread sectors. Valuations in high yield and other riskier spread sectors are at historically tight levels, offering little cushion in a spread-widening scenario.
3. Correlations to equities among higher-risk fixed income are also at historically high levels, suggesting a greater vulnerability to any risk-off environment.
4. Core fixed income still offers investor diversification benefits vs. equities with negative correlations to equity returns. Using 4Q18 as a recent example – investors reaching for yield too aggressively will be hurt in an equity draw-down scenario.
5. An outlook that includes Fed rate cuts and higher economic risk suggests higher allocations to fixed income. Core fixed income looks the most attractive when weighing risk-adjusted returns with diversification benefits.
*The source on all charts is Bloomberg.
To view our September Equities Outlook in 5 Charts, click here.
Disclosures: This is for informational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security, strategy or investment product. Although the statements of fact, information, charts, analysis and data in this report have been obtained from, and are based upon, sources Sage believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee their accuracy, and the underlying information, data, figures and publicly available information has not been verified or audited for accuracy or completeness by Sage. Additionally, we do not represent that the information, data, analysis and charts are accurate or complete, and as such should not be relied upon as such. All results included in this report constitute Sage’s opinions as of the date of this report and are subject to change without notice due to various factors, such as market conditions. Investors should make their own decisions on investment strategies based on their specific investment objectives and financial circumstances. All investments contain risk and may lose value. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Sage Advisory Services, Ltd. Co. is a registered investment adviser that provides investment management services for a variety of institutions and high net worth individuals. For additional information on Sage and its investment management services, please view our web site at www.sageadvisory.com, or refer to our Form ADV, which is available upon request by calling 512.327.5530.