Practical analysis for investment professionals
02 September 2014

2014 is the Year of Fixed-Income Investment Management Surprises

Posted In: Fixed Income

“Surprise!” This word probably best describes the (wacky) world of global fixed-income markets over the past 12 months. From the near-shocking continued appreciation of long-term US Treasuries and German bunds; through the continued flood gate of new corporate issuance; past the level of risks investors seem willing to take on in order to harvest precious basis points of yield; to the resurgence of emerging markets; 2014 has not obeyed the conventional wisdom of late 2013.

About the only thing that remains true is the scrutiny and criticism of global central bank policy. Sans this, the fixed-income axis of monetary policy, all else seems to be a study in punchlines delivered at the expense of fixed-income investors.

Here are some key stories that describe the big surprises of 2014 thus far:

Monetary Policy

Surging Corporate Issuance

Emerging Markets

High Yield

Securitization

Still unresolved in the aftermath of the global financial crisis is the viability of alternatives to credit ratings. That said, Kroll is making a compelling case for being named the ‘alternative’ to the Big Three credit ratings agencies. For more discussion of fixed-income markets and their ongoing issues, you can attend the 2014 CFA Institute Fixed-Income Management Conference in Huntington Beach, California. Among the many questions to be answered at the event are:

  • How will Federal Reserve tapering affect interest rates and emerging markets?
  • Will China be able to deflate its credit bubble without severe economic disruption?
  • Will weak demand and persistent unemployment in debt-burdened industrialized nations improve the outlook for bonds?

Helping to answer these questions are your host, GMO’s Marc P. Seidner; the always intelligent and funny, James Grant; the trenchant and quant with an eye for the art of investing, Robert Arnott; the newsworthy, Mohammed A. El Erian; and the boundary-exploring, Roberto Rigobon. Additionally, our audience polls will give real-time insight into what fellow investment professionals are thinking about important issues.


Please note that the content of this site should not be construed as investment advice, nor do the opinions expressed necessarily reflect the views of CFA Institute.

Photo credit: ©iStockphoto.com/inte2000

About the Author(s)
Jason Voss, CFA

Jason Voss, CFA, tirelessly focuses on improving the ability of investors to better serve end clients. He is the author of the Foreword Reviews Business Book of the Year Finalist, The Intuitive Investor and the CEO of Active Investment Management (AIM) Consulting. Voss also sub-contracts for the well known firm, Focus Consulting Group. Previously, he was a portfolio manager at Davis Selected Advisers, L.P., where he co-managed the Davis Appreciation and Income Fund to noteworthy returns. Voss holds a BA in economics and an MBA in finance and accounting from the University of Colorado.

Ethics Statement

My statement of ethics is very simple, really: I treat others as I would like to be treated. In my opinion, all systems of ethics distill to this simple statement. If you believe I have deviated from this standard, I would love to hear from you: [email protected]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close