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CONTRIBUTORS

Josh Lohmeier, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Investment Grade
Franklin Templeton Fixed Income
United States

Now that the United States is in the latter stages of its rate-hiking and economic cycle, and from a total portfolio perspective, we believe investment-grade (IG) corporate credit is well positioned to allow investors to play both offense and defense. Given the very low probability of default for IG issuers, this higher-quality fixed income sector can possibly serve as a more defensive position in an investor’s overall portfolio while delivering material income.

Yields are currently higher than the asset class has offered in well over a decade, and approximately 2% higher than the average yield investors have been able to capture since 2010. “Investment grade” refers to a corporate bond that has a credit agency rating of Baa3/BBB- or better, and therefore, lower risk of default than non-investment grade.

IG Bond Yields Are at Their Highest Level Since the Global Financial Crisis

Bloomberg US Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Index Yield-to-Worst (YTW)
December 31, 2009—July 31, 2023

Source: Bloomberg. Indexes are unmanaged and one cannot directly invest in them. They do not include fees, expenses or sales charges. Past performance is not an indicator or a guarantee of future results. Yield to worst (YTW) is the lowest potential yield that can be received on a bond without the issuer actually defaulting.

In certain regards, investment-grade corporate credit can also be employed as an offensive tactic within investment portfolios. Currently, US investment-grade corporate yields are higher than the S&P 500 Index earnings yield, a rare phenomenon over the previous 10 years.1 The asset class also has the potential to benefit from certain tailwinds, including potential further tightening in credit spreads supported by positive underlying corporate fundamentals, and eventually falling interest rates if the Federal Reserve shifts monetary policy from restrictive to more accommodative levels. This may allow investors to play offense within the total portfolio context, while still serving the foundational role of high-quality fixed income in delivering diversification and risk mitigation relative to assets with higher historical volatility.

While our view is that the total yield that investors can realize remains attractive (a technical positive that should help further drive demand for the asset class), we generally favor moving up in credit quality and being selective, preferring issuers in more non-cyclical, defensive sectors that are  well positioned to exhibit resilience in the face of macroeconomic headwinds.

We have conviction that our investment approach can provide value to clients in the current market environment. Portfolio construction is a key element, with the goal of helping clients to structurally control risk, enhance income and mitigate downside. In the type of market conditions we are currently experiencing, we would also reiterate our belief that active management provides value, and fundamental, bottom-up credit research is the most effective way to avoid negative credit events and achieve outperformance.

Endnote

  1. Source: Bloomberg. As of July 29, 2023.

 

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal.

Fixed income securities involve interest rate, credit, inflation and reinvestment risks, and possible loss of principal. As interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities falls. Low-rated, high-yield bonds are subject to greater price volatility, illiquidity and possibility of default.

Changes in the credit rating of a bond, or in the credit rating or financial strength of a bond’s issuer, insurer or guarantor, may affect the bond’s value.

Active management does not ensure gains or protect against market declines.

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