High Yield 1Q Investor Survey, Europe vs. US Views: Credit Crunch
Feb 7, 2025
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Marco Salkovaci, a Senior High Yield Fund Manager at Union Investments, dives deep into the high yield market trends, revealing that default rates in Europe are at a low 2.5% and just 1.1% in the US. He discusses mixed investor sentiment for 2024, influenced by economic uncertainties and interest rates. They explore the evolving landscape of corporate bond supply, highlighting a preference for high-yield assets. The conversation also touches on liquidity strategies and the potential impacts of Germany's upcoming elections on investment trends.
The podcast highlights a cautiously optimistic sentiment among investors regarding high yield returns for 1Q25, despite a decline in positive outlook from previous quarters.
Experts emphasize that while high yield bonds are perceived as richly valued, opportunities for returns continue to exist, driven primarily by interest rates and potential recession impacts.
Deep dives
Quarterly High Yield Returns Outlook
The sentiment regarding high yield returns for the quarter is cautiously optimistic, with 35% of respondents reporting a positive outlook, despite a decline from 54% in previous quarters. The initial month showed a gain of 0.6% in high yield, leading experts to agree that high yield should perform well throughout the quarter. The conversation emphasized that while volatility may increase, the market is focusing on carry strategies that could sustain positive returns for the rest of the year. This ongoing positive outlook appears grounded in market sentiment and historical performance trends.
Valuation Insights and Market Adjustments
Current market valuations for high yield bonds are perceived as rich, especially when stripped of distressed components, suggesting limited room for expansion. Experts noted that despite high valuations, overall yields still present opportunities for returns, particularly with interest rates on a stable path. The discussion highlighted how high yield spreads are near historic lows, indicating that while there are pockets of attractiveness, the market must still navigate concerns about future corrections linked to investment grade issues. The consensus is that while the rich valuation status poses risks, investors are still likely to find viable returns in the near term.
Key Economic Drivers Impacting High Yield
Key drivers of high yield returns are anticipated to be influenced primarily by interest rates and potential recession impacts, with inflation less emphasized currently. While survey respondents highlighted recession as a dominant concern, experts argued that rates hold the most significant weight in determining market behavior and overall sentiment. The dialogue reflected a hope for increased spending in Europe as a response to external pressures, which could bolster economic recovery. The perspective suggests that while earnings and supply factors are essential, the overarching narrative seems to pivot towards navigating interest rate developments as the primary concern for high yield investors.
High yield credit had a strong 2024 as yields rallied and spreads followed, while defaults didn’t blow up as feared. In Europe, the index default rate stands at a low 2.5% and the US at 1.1%, while the share of stressed and distressed bonds drastically came down. Will 1Q sustain those gains, and why? Mahesh Bhimalingam, Bloomberg Intelligence’s chief European credit strategist, discusses the results of the team’s 1Q25 High Yield Survey, along with the market outlook, with Marco Salcoacci, senior high yield fund manager at Union Investments. The report covers investor positioning, sentiment, key return drivers, default and supply forecasts and relative-value opinions by geography, rating and sector. They assess how deeply high yield prospects differ between Europe and the US.
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