Third Quarter 2023 Fixed-Income Sector Views (2024)

August 21, 2023

Fixed-Income Sector Views

Third Quarter 2023

Recent data and policy developments have fallen firmly in the soft-landing camp, and market performance has reflected this shift. Notwithstanding recent stronger-than-expected economic activity, we continue to believe a downturn is in the pipeline. For now, we are seeing early signs of the turning of the credit cycle, with downgrades outpacing upgrades and defaults rising, but thus far credit issues have been idiosyncratic in nature. Our sector teams share a point of view that is remarkably similar across the market—yields are among the highest in the past decade or more, and spreads are generally held in check due to the first half decline in new issuance volume. During this period of rising uncertainty, relatively high yields are available on relatively low risk assets, which gives us confidence that we continue to find compelling values even as we take a slightly defensive posture on behalf of our clients.

Sector-Specific Outlooks In This Report

Portfolio Management Outlook: Technical Tailwinds and the Prospect of a Soft Landing

Macroeconomic Update: Strong First Half Doesn’t Negate Recession Concerns

Rates: Positive Outlook for Treasury Returns

Investment-Grade Corporate Bonds: Strong Technicals Support IG

High-Yield Corporate Bonds: Attractive Yields and Limited Supply Support Performance

Bank Loans: Clipping the Highest Coupon in Two Decades

Municipal Bonds: Cracks Form in Muniland

ABS-CLOs: Commercial ABS Remains Attractive

Non-Agency RMBS: Technical Market Conditions Are Supportive of Valuations

CMBS: A Challenged Backdrop with Increasing Idiosyncratic Risk

Agency MBS: Short-Term Headwinds Persist and the Sector Remains Cheap

Commercial Real Estate: Finding Value in the Post-Pandemic Market

Important Notices and Disclosures

This material is distributed or presented for informational or educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product, or as investing advice of any kind. This material is not provided in a fiduciary capacity, may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions, and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. The content contained herein is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and/or a legal opinion. Always consult a financial, tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific situation.

This material contains opinions of the author or speaker, but not necessarily those of Guggenheim Partners, LLC or its subsidiaries. The opinions contained herein are subject to change without notice. Forward-looking statements, estimates, and certain information contained herein are based upon proprietary and non-proprietary research and other sources. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but are not assured as to accuracy. Past performance is not indicative of future results. There is neither representation nor warranty as to the
current accuracy of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information. No part of this material may be reproduced or referred to in any form, without express written permission of Guggenheim Partners, LLC.

Past performance is not indicative of future results. There is neither representation nor warranty as to the current accuracy or, nor liability for, decisions based on such information.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The potential impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak are increasingly uncertain, difficult to assess and impossible to predict, and may result in significant losses. Any adverse event could materially and negatively impact the value and performance of our strategies and their ability to achieve their investment objectives. Investments in bonds and other fixed-income instruments are subject to the possibility that interest rates could rise, causing their value to decline. Investors in asset-backed securities, including mortgage-backed securities, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and other structured finance investments generally receive payments that are part interest and part return of principal. These payments may vary based on the rate at which the underlying borrowers pay off their loans. Some asset-backed securities, including mortgage-backed securities, may have structures that make their reaction to interest rates and other factors difficult to predict, causing their prices to be volatile. These instruments are particularly subject to interest rate, credit and liquidity and valuation risks. High-yield bonds may present additional risks because these securities may be less liquid, and therefore more difficult to value accurately and sell at an advantageous price or time, and present more credit risk than investment grade bonds. The price of high yield securities tends to be subject to greater volatility due to issuer-specific operating results and outlook and to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions. Bank loans, including loan syndicates and other direct lending opportunities, involve special types of risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk, counter-party risk and prepayment risk. Loans may offer a fixed or floating interest rate. Loans are often generally below investment grade, may be unrated, and can be difficult to value accurately and may be more susceptible to liquidity risk than fixed-income instruments of similar credit quality and/or maturity. Municipal bonds may be subject to credit, interest, prepayment, liquidity, and valuation risks. In addition, municipal securities can be affected by unfavorable legislative or political developments and adverse changes in the economic and fiscal conditions of state and municipal issuers or the federal government in case it provides financial support to such issuers. A company’s preferred stock generally pays dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Investments in real estate securities are subject to the same risks as direct investments in real estate, which is particularly sensitive to economic downturns.

Basis point: One basis point is equal to 0.01 percent. Likewise, 100 basis points equals 1 percent. Beta: Beta is a statistical measure of volatility relative to the overall market. A positive beta indicates movement in the same direction as the market, while a negative beta indicates movement inverse to the market. Beta for the market is genrally considered to be 1. A beta above 1 and below -1 indicates more volatillity than the market. A beta between 1 to -1 indicates less volatility than the market. Carry: Carry is the diference between the cost of financing an asset and the interest received on that asset.

Applicable to United Kingdom investors: Where this material is distributed in the United Kingdom, it is done so by Guggenheim Investment Advisers (Europe) Ltd., a U.K. Company authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 499798) and is directed only at persons who are professional clients or eligible counterparties for the purposes of the FCA’s Conduct of Business Sourcebook.

Applicable to European Investors: Where this material is distributed to existing investors and pre 1 January 2021 prospect relationships based in mainland Europe, it is done so by Guggenheim Investment Advisers (Europe) Ltd., a U.K. Company authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 499798) and is directed only at persons who are professional clients or eligible counterparties for the purposes of the FCA’s Conduct of Business Sourcebook.

Applicable to Middle East investors: Contents of this report prepared by Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, a registered entity in their respective jurisdiction, and affiliate of Guggenheim Partners Middle East Limited, the Authorized Firm regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This report is intended for qualified investor use only as defined in the DFSA Conduct of Business Module.

© 2023, Guggenheim Partners, LLC. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of Guggenheim Partners, LLC. Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC is an affiliate of Guggenheim Partners, LLC. For information, call 800.345.7999 or 800.820.0888.

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FEATURED PERSPECTIVES

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First Quarter 2024 Fixed-Income Sector Views

Investing as the Fed prepares to cut rates.

February 20, 2024
Corporate Credit Quarterly Insights - February 2024

Market and portfolio update from our Corporate Credit team

January 29, 2024
Learning from Turning Points in Monetary Policy

The Case for Moving Into Higher-Quality Fixed Income (and Out of Money Markets and Equities) While the Fed Is Paused… and Ahead of Coming Rate Cuts.

VIDEOS AND PODCASTS

Third Quarter 2023 Fixed-Income Sector Views (4)

Are Fixed-Income Investors Being Compensated for the Risks They Are Taking?

Maria Giraldo, Investment Strategist for Guggenheim Investments, joins Asset TV’s Fixed Income Masterclass.

Are Fixed-Income Investors Being Compensated for the Risks They Are Taking?

Macro Markets Podcast Episode 48: Why We Like Structured Credit

Karthik Narayanan and Danny Gibbs give an overview of the structured credit market.

Macro Markets Podcast: Episode #48

Third Quarter 2023 Fixed-Income Sector Views (6)

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Third Quarter 2023 Fixed-Income Sector Views (2024)

FAQs

What is the outlook for fixed-income in 2023? ›

At the start of 2023, we believe that peak inflation has passed, and anticipate a gradual reduction in pricing pressures over the course of the year, even as short-term rates remain elevated.

How is the market review in q3 2023? ›

The market declined in the third quarter as the S&P 500 decreased by -3.3%, but after increasing by +16.9% in the first half of 2023, the year-to-date gain is still +13.1%. The market reached its high point for the year on July 31st but declined by -6% through the end of the quarter.

What is the fixed-income review for 2023? ›

2023 Bond Market Review

The Fed's preferred inflation measure, the Core PCE Index, fell to 3.2% YoY in November from 4.9% to start 2023. In a show of support, investors returned to the bond market in 2023 as fixed income fund/ETF flows were a positive $159B, reversing the record outflows of -$345B in 2022.

How will fixed-income do in 2023? ›

Yields and bond prices move in the opposite direction, therefore a decline in yields results in a rise in bond prices. Expected total returns look quite attractive for bonds in 2023. Even a 1% drop in yields can roughly result in positive double-digit annual returns.

What is the outlook for fixed income? ›

Alpha Opportunities, Yield Becomes Destiny

Hence, our bond market outlook is still generally positive over the balance of 2024 as high yields boost the odds of favorable market returns (Yield is Destiny after all) and the potential for ample alpha generation remains favorable.

Is 2023 a good year for investing? ›

There are typically two outcomes as to what happens after an awful year like 2022—you get a bounce-back recovery, or the bad times continue. Luckily, 2023 was the former not the latter. Expected returns were higher and actual returns followed suit.

What is the reliability of Q3? ›

We expect the 2024 Q3 will have about average reliability when compared to the average new car.

What are the best performing stocks for Q3 2023? ›

Top-Performing Stocks of Q3 2023

Among the stocks still considered undervalued by our analysts, Groupon (which carries a Morningstar rating of 4 stars) performed best. Cannabis company Tilray Brands (the third-best-performing stock overall) jumped 53.2% in the third quarter.

What is the Q3 of 2023? ›

Q3 2023 is July 1-September 30.

What will be the rate of return in 2023? ›

This chart shows returns in 2022 and 2023 year-to-date (YTD), across asset classes. For U.S. Equities, the 2022 return was -18.1% and the 2023 YTD return is 24.5%.

What is passive income 2023? ›

Passive income includes regular earnings from a source other than an employer or contractor. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says passive income can come from two sources: rental property or a business in which one does not actively participate, such as being paid book royalties or stock dividends.

Why are fixed income funds dropping? ›

What causes bond prices to fall? Bond prices move in inverse fashion to interest rates, reflecting an important bond investing consideration known as interest rate risk. If bond yields decline, the value of bonds already on the market move higher. If bond yields rise, existing bonds lose value.

Is now a good time for fixed income? ›

2 m. After years of extremely low interest rates, fixed income investments have become an attractive asset class again.

Is it a good time for fixed income? ›

Here are 3 reasons why now's a good time to evaluate the role of high-quality fixed income exposure in your portfolio. Bonds are providing healthier yields than we've seen since before the 2008 global financial crisis. Higher current yields support a much-improved outlook for bond returns going forward.

How to survive financially in 2023? ›

Start by following these seven tips to help you more easily afford things you need.
  1. Eliminate unnecessary expenses. ...
  2. Shop for groceries differently. ...
  3. Reduce your home's energy bill. ...
  4. Don't waste gas. ...
  5. Pay off your debt. ...
  6. Increase your income. ...
  7. Keep saving for the future.

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