High-yield corporate bond and floating-rate loan markets ended 2020 on the up, with a strong rally following news of vaccine efficacy in November. The loan market closed the year with a 3.1% total return, while the bond market was up just over 6%, aided by higher sensitivity to falling interest rates.
“Default rates rose throughout the year, but they did not come close to the most pessimistic forecasts made in March and April. In bonds, we saw the trailing 12-month default rate finish 2020 north of 6%, while in loans it was touching 4%,” say Stephen C. Concannon, Co-Director of High Yield Bonds and Andrew N. Sveen, Co-Director of Floating-Rate Loans at Eaton Vance Management.
Credit markets feel like they are starting 2021 in something of a tug-of-war between two competing forces, they add. This is because:
- Developed markets are in the midst of a significant additional wave of COVID-19 cases with increased restrictions in place across much of the U.S. and lockdowns once again in force in Western Europe.
- Against this, rock-bottom interest rates, additional fiscal stimulus and the start of vaccination programs around the world have given financial markets much to be optimistic about.
“More broadly for debt investors, we suspect credit feels like one of the only games in town for keeping yield in a portfolio. Historically, investors would not get excited about yields between 4% and 5%, but those yields are significant improvements on what’s available in investment-grade markets. We have only to look at the European experience of the last decade for evidence of demand for sub-investment grade credit at these all-in yield levels.
“With the loan market coming into 2021 at an average price just over US $96, we think there is some capital appreciation to supplement the coupon income available in this market. In high-yield corporate bonds, we believe the rebound in economic activity has the potential to drive spreads a little bit tighter. However, both markets are susceptible to volatility as the pandemic continues.
“Significantly, we saw net inflows return to the loan market in December after a year mostly dominated by outflows. The results of the Georgia Senate run-off have brought the theme of reflation back into focus, which may provide a technical tailwind for the floating-rate loan markets. With increased demand for the asset class, we expect a busier year for supply.
“Looking across both markets, we think relative value is more finely balanced at the start of 2021, with opportunities for positive total returns. Though current valuations across credit markets imply an improved fundamental situation, they also point to the potential for higher prices ahead.
“Whatever appreciation potential exists is probably modest. Yet that’s not likely to diminish the attractiveness of credits, as yields and spreads outshine much of what’s on offer in today’s yield-starved fixed income environment. In particular, we still see opportunities to lend to companies in some more challenged sectors such as leisure and gaming, focusing on those with both sufficient liquidity to weather the current economic disruption and a clear reason to exist in a post-pandemic world.
“For our credit mandates with the most flexibility, we continue to look to collateralised loan obligations (CLOs) as a great place to pick up some extra yield and total return potential.
“And we believe that emerging markets — both sovereign and corporate bonds — are offering opportunities,” they add.
You must be logged in to post or view comments.