Katharine Neiss, Deputy Head of Global Economics at PGIM Fixed Income, discusses inflation's impact on bond markets. Topics include rate cuts, bonds vs cash, and reflation scenarios in the U.S. and Eurozone. The episode explores market volatility, central bank responses, spread products, inverted yield curves, and the benefits of gradually increasing inflation.
Understanding inflation's impact on bond markets is crucial for informed investing amidst global market volatility.
Higher yields in the bond market signal better returns and present opportunities to extend on the yield curve.
Deep dives
Different Inflation Drivers in the US and Euro Area
In the US, strong demand was a key driver of inflation, while higher energy costs fueled inflation in the Euro area. The lingering effects of energy shocks on inflation are being observed in the Eurozone, leading to cautious rate cuts. The US economy's resilience complicates rate cut decisions due to sustained strength. The consensus is that inflation is not transitory but rather entering a more volatile and prolonged phase.
Central Banks' Response to Inflation and Rate Policy
Central banks are monitoring services inflation closely, looking for signs of moderation to align with their targets. While rate cuts are expected, they are likely to follow a shallow trajectory. The policy stance in both the US and Europe is deemed restrictive, prompting anticipation of rate cuts despite the higher long-term neutral rates. The ECB and Federal Reserve's diverging approaches reflect varying macro fundamentals.
Attractiveness of Bonds in Rising Rate Environment
Higher yields signal better returns in the bond market amid inflation shifts. The shift from low to higher rates is viewed positively, with opportunities to extend on the yield curve. Despite thin spreads and government bond pressures, credit fundamentals and corporate caution support fixed income. Bonds offer defensive value with potential for superior risk-adjusted returns compared to cash amid central bank rate cycles.
Amid global market volatility and potential economic shifts, understanding inflation's impact on bond markets is pivotal for informed investing. This episode delves further into this topic with a focus on developed markets such as the U.S. and Eurozone, exploring the potential path of rate cuts, the attractiveness of bonds versus cash, and how a reflation scenario could impact investment strategies. This episode features PGIM Fixed Income’s Katharine Neiss, PhD, Deputy Head of Global Economics and Chief European Economist, Robert Tipp, CFA, Chief Investment Strategist and Head of Global Bonds, and host Michael Roper, CFA, Portfolio Manager, European Investment Grade Corporate Bonds. Recorded on June 24, 2024.
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