Despite the Federal Reserve (Fed) cutting interest rates and the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling from its high of 8% in 2023 to just over 6%, the U.S. housing market continues to face challenges. Sellers are facing tepid demand and seeing potential buyers back out. Affordability, despite recent improvements, remains far below pre-pandemic levels. Residential investment per household has not improved, and structural factors mean supply constraints and price pressures could continue even if the Fed lowers rates further.
With the Middle East conflict now entering its second month, high energy prices have produced knock-on effects across global financial markets. The US and European breakeven curves surged as markets repriced inflation expectations and the likelihood of central-bank rate cuts.
In this edition of Talking Markets Lloyd Harris, Head of Fixed Income at Premier Miton, discusses how stronger bank capital positions and post‑crisis regulation continue to reshape the contingent capital landscape. He shares why CoCos are increasingly compelling for income‑focused investors, offering a robustness that has held up well through recent market stresses.