All Credit articles – Page 23
-
White papersThe credit-market breakup: it’s not V, it’s U
What should fixed-income investors read into the recent moves in markets and how should they respond in the near, medium and longer term? In an atmosphere of uncertainty, we consider how a bias towards higher-quality credit and a flexible approach to protecting against the downside can help investors weather any further turbulence.
-
White papersFlexible credit: the upside of downside protection
Flexibility always has a place, but its capacity to provide downside protection makes it particularly important given the advanced age of the credit cycle. In the fourth instalment of a five-part series, we explain why credit investors cannot afford to just rely on rates and diversification for protection. We also consider the robust suite of tools needed to preserve capital during market sell-offs and help protect our ability to take risk when opportunities are greatest.
-
White papersChecking in on BBBs
Improved credit conditions are reflected in spreads, but volatility may create opportunities.
-
White papersA supportive environment for investment grade credit
The macro environment we face is one of low economic growth, low inflation, and loose monetary policy. That can be considered something of a sweet spot for investment grade credit. Corporate earnings are strong enough for the moderate leverage in the asset class, and investors’ search for high-quality yield supports bond prices.
-
White papersSeeking protection in mispriced miners
The copper price – a gauge for the wellbeing of the global economy – has defied supply disruptions and remained broadly flat for the past year. Despite this, the credit spreads of several large mining firms are trading at their lowest levels in 12 months, indicating subdued risk. We think that credit markets have failed to account for several risks that miners face – from a weak macroeconomic outlook to environmental, social and governance issues – and we have sought defensive positions within the sector.
-
White papersAmid Rising ‘Mequity’ Risk, Boring Can Be Beautiful
In both the U.S. and Europe, there is significant pressure both at the top and bottom ends of the middle market. As a result, we’re seeing potentially attractive value today in the more traditional, true middle market.
-
White papersHarnessing the illiquidity premium
There is a general consensus that an illiquidity premium exists and the benefits of investing in illiquid credit are well understood. Yet illiquidity constraints create risks and restrict the ability of investors to react quickly to market movements. In order to harness the illiquidity premium while remaining mindful of the inherent risks, investors need to challenge assumptions about current liquidity conditions and maintain flexibility and an open mind.
-
White papersSolving for 2020; the key themes we anticipate will guide investment decisions in 2020
The heads of our investment platforms identified the key themes they anticipate will guide investment decisions in 2020.
-
White papersThe growing opportunity in European consumer credit
European consumer credit is one of the largest and most diverse loan asset classes in Europe. It has also had resilient performance through economic cycles. Historically, these assets have remained confined to banks’ balance sheets, but structural change in the banking landscape in Europe is opening up a sector previously inaccessible to institutional investors.
-
White papers360 Webinar: Hermes Flexible Credit
Throughout this webinar series, the Hermes Fixed Income team will discuss key performance drivers of our portfolios, and provide their assessments of risks and opportunities across the credit spectrum.
-
White papers360° – Fixed Income report, Q4 2019
Distortions in credit markets mean that opportunities for open-minded investors lie beneath the surface, but they are few and far between. An inquisitive, active approach is needed to discover pockets of value and navigate storm clouds that linger on the horizon.
-
White papersA High-Income Survival Guide for Late-Cycle Markets
It’s easy to get spooked in late-cycle markets. But we think there’s a way to de-risk your portfolio and still generate a decent level of income—no magic spells necessary.
-
White papersInvestment Grade: Stable Fundamentals with Hints of Wear & Tear
IG fundamentals held up relatively well in Q3, despite dampened sentiment and growing macro uncertainty. Spreads were unchanged, but may move wider before year-end.
-
White papersStructured Credit: Engaging Risk Tactics
Deal flow remained steady in Q3, keeping primary market spreads range-bound. Against a backdrop of low global interest rates, we have seen increasing investor interest in European CLOs.
-
White papersHigh Yield: Poised to Capture Relative Value
Despite mounting uncertainty in the broader markets, high yield delivered broadly positive returns in Q3. As we continue to move through the late stages of a prolonged cycle, credit selection will be critical.
-
White papersIG CLOs: Strong Excess Return Potential, Lower Volatility
IG CLOs can offer investors the benefits of spread pick-up and lower mark-to-market volatility, largely due to underlying collateral performance and structural security. But above all, manager selection is critical—even at the highest-rated tranches.
-
-
White papersCore Matters Investment Returns: A 5-year perspective
2019 has seen huge inflows into Fixed Income (FI) funds and outflows from Equities. From a medium-term return perspective this makes no sense. The formidable demand for safe assets reflects cyclical and structural forces (e.g. ageing). No matter the economic scenario, FI returns over the next five years are ...
-
White papersInvesting in an era of heightened risk velocity
For investors navigating current market conditions—an environment where a single tweet can change the market direction and momentum—it is not just the risks themselves that are challenging but also the elevated pace at which risks can move from peripheral threats to portfolio impacts. We call this “risk velocity.” This paper explores the primary drivers for this phenomenon and potential asset allocation implications.
-
White papersStrategic Relative Value – Q4 2019
A quarterly look at how macro events are driving relative value around the globe.
