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Jay Sivapalan, Head of Australian Fixed Interest at Janus Henderson, discusses what caused February’s bond market volatility and how the team are actively navigating the challenging conditions.
Over February the Australian bond market1 was down approximately 3.5%, suffering its biggest negative monthly return since 1983. In combination with its negative return in January, this episode essentially wipes 80% of the bond market’s 2020 returns. Meanwhile, the 10 Year Australian Government bond yield has almost tripled since the lows experienced in 2020.
While only the rates market has been affected so far, in our view this could extend into risk assets (such as equities, high yield and investment grade credit) if central banks don’t intervene in a coordinated fashion to avoid a ‘taper tantrum’ style sell-off.
The ingredients for a bond market sell-off have been brewing for some time, and while hard to predict the turning point, as active managers we must be poised to re-position our portfolios and identify investment opportunities.
1. Rising inflation expectations:
Chart 1: Australian 10-year breakeven inflation rate (%)
Source: Bloomberg, ABS, Australian 10-year breakeven inflation rate to 4 March 2021.
2. Rising cash rate expectations:
Chart 2: Australian implied OIS forward 1m cash rate (%)
Source: Janus Henderson Investors, Bloomberg, monthly to February 2021, spot 26 February 2021.
Chart 3: Yield to maturity and modified duration on the Bloomberg AusBond 0+ Yr Index
Source: Janus Henderson Investors, as at 31 December 2020. Index: Bloomberg Ausbond Composite 0+ Yr Index. Note: Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
3. Question marks over central bank commitment:
Effectively navigating the more volatile rising rate environment at the key turning points will be vital given the magnitude of interest rate risk (duration). Ultimately, as yields rise, we believe it is worth taking some duration risk to capture higher yields, especially if markets overshoot.
Higher bond yields when cash rates are anchored at close to zero present very steep yield curves and the opportunity for investors to participate in both the yield and roll-down effect that adds to performance.
Today a 10-year risk free government bond, if nothing happens in markets over the next year, can deliver a return that’s at least twice that of a five-year major bank floating rate corporate bond2. These are exactly the type of opportunities active managers wait for even if some volatility in the near-term needs to be tolerated. One will only know after the fact whether the strategy went too early or too late.
The team have also been focusing on capital preservation strategies to protect against a breakout in inflation expectations.
Below is an overview of our investment strategy:
Rates: |
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Duration: |
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Inflation protection: |
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Spread sectors3: Having participated in the meaningful rally of spread sectors, we feel prudent to take some profit while valuations are at peak levels in the post-COVID market rally. |
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Semi-government debt: |
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Credit protection: |
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Investment grade credit: |
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High yield: |
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We are intentionally still exposed to credit markets, but the above provides some room for risk taking should markets become unstable.
This year is shaping up to be one where active interest rate strategies, including taking advantage of higher yields, may overshadow excess returns from spread sectors. Accordingly, our strategies will emphasise this from time to time as prevailing market conditions offer investment opportunities. While we expect some volatility and drawdown, near-term volatility presents an opportunity for active managers. Ultimately, higher bond yields restore the defensive characteristics and create better value for the asset class.
1. Australian Bond Market as measured by the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index.
2. Based on no change to the current bond yield of 1.91% for 10-year Australian Government bonds and the estimated yield of an Australian five-year major bank floating rate notes of 0.45% (as at 26 February 2020).
3. The above are the Portfolio Managers’ views and should not be construed as advice. Sector holdings are subject to change without notice. Don’t miss the
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