Bloomberg Aggregate Index Outlook: Macro Matters

Treasury yields may fall further by the end of 2023, leading to positive returns for the Bloomberg Aggregate Index overall, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

In this Macro Matters edition of the FICC Focus Podcast, BI Chief US Interest Rate Strategist Ira Jersey is joined by BI Chief Credit Strategist Noel Hebert and BI Chief Mortgage Strategist Erica Adelberg to discuss their outlook for the Bloomberg Aggregate Index. Jersey notes that his view that Treasury yields could decline further by the end of next year is based on a slowing of economic activity, but with the Federal Reserve loath to ease interest rates too soon thereby causing more yield-curve inversion in 1H, followed by bull steepening (less inversion) in 2H.

Adelberg sees the possibility for positive excess returns in mortgage-backed securities (MBS). She notes a lack of supply and wider spreads could bring in buyers of MBS, and that the risk of a convexity-related mortgage-refinancing wage is unlikely. Hebert says that corporate issuance may slow in 2023 and that a slower economic environment could mean modestly negative excess returns for investment-grade corporate debt.

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