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The CT UK Social Bond Fund has pioneered impact investing for fixed income, through investments that deliver positive social outcomes and a financial return consistent with the risk profile of the broad UK investment grade credit market. We talk to portfolio manager Tammie Tang.

Even after the late-year “Santa” rally, all-in yields in many credit sectors are near multi-decade highs, making it tempting to portfolio managers to have overweight credit allocations to maximize the yield opportunity. But credit spreads are relatively narrow and the distinct risk of an economic or financial market recession looms eventually, so managers might opt to underweight credit sectors.  

In this edition of Market Watch, Shamik Dhar, Chief Economist at BNY Mellon Investment Management, explores the persistent theme of divergence from 2023 continuing into 2024. Dhar delves into facets, including the weakening US labour market and geopolitical tensions around the Red Sea, that might mitigate the potential for a US soft landing.

Just a few months ago, you had to take great care with bonds in a context of inflation. But now investors should be opting for this asset class, says Stefan Isaacs, Deputy CIO Public Fixed Income at M&G.

Just over a year has passed since the gilt market turmoil of September 2022, sparked by the UK government’s so-called ‘mini-budget’. The fallout from the crisis, as the pound fell and gilt yields spiked, prompted an emergency intervention by the Bank of England to restore orderly market conditions against a global backdrop of high inflation and rising interest rates. A significant change in asset class demand dynamics ensued as pension funds sought to meet collateral calls for their LDI mandates.

While passive investments have seen rapid growth in recent years, we believe there are several crucial advantages for choosing active management when investing in fixed income. This is especially true in the current climate, as uncertainty over the future path of interest rates and inflation continues to drive heightened volatility across the asset class. 

The growth in the breadth and depth of the social bond market is impressive, but there's still more to come.

Global CIO Andrew McCaffery and senior members of our team review current market dynamics and provide an insight into the implications of recent macro and policy developments. They outline how this evolving backdrop is informing our views across asset classes as we head into the final quarter of 2023.