Download the 7.21.23 Dynamic Bond Market Update for advisors’ use with clients

By Bill Smith, Fixed Income Trader and Portfolio Manager

Does it make sense to avoid duration until this rate hiking cycle is complete? With the Federal Reserve (Fed) telegraphing two additional rate hikes in 2023, investors may question the efficacy of adding longer maturities to their fixed income portfolios.

Analysis of Previous Hiking Campaigns

To help answer this question, we analyzed the one-year total returns for short (0-5 year), intermediate (5-10 year) and long (10+ year) Treasury indexes, focusing on the final innings of the last four hiking cycles (below). As you might expect, one-year total returns were compelling for intermediate and long duration. Interestingly, returns were often higher when hiking cycles were near completion (last two hikes), as opposed to fully complete (paused).

 

Source: ICE BofA Indexes/Bloomberg. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

We believe this diminishes the argument for a wait-and-see approach. Timing the end of a hiking campaign is challenging, and more importantly, it may not provide superior returns.

Markets Remain Unconvinced of Significant Future Tightening

According to Bloomberg’s current interest rate probability model, expectations for the future path of interest rates have deviated from Fed guidance. While the model anticipates the probability of a 25bp hike in July at 96%, the outlook for additional tightening has dropped. Furthermore, the futures market appears to be calling for significant rate cuts in 2024. If this scenario plays out, the window for adding longer bonds at current yields could be closing.

 

Source: Bloomberg 7/18/2023. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

A Compelling Time for Fixed Income

While we think intermediate and long bonds are particularly interesting in this environment, it’s important to note that bonds are attractive across the curve. Yields for most fixed income asset classes remain above their one, 10 and 20-year averages. Regardless of the future path of interest rates, now is an exciting time for investors to consider fixed income.

 

Source: Bloomberg 7/17/2023. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

A prudent approach to fixed income investing calls for diversification across both credit and duration exposure. As always, Dynamic recommends staying balanced, diversified and invested. Despite short-term market pullbacks, it’s more important than ever to focus on the long-term, improving the chances for investors to reach their goals.

Should you need help navigating fixed income for your clients, please contact Dynamic’s Investment Management team at (877) 257-3840, ext. 4 or investmentmanagement@dynamicadvisorsolutions.com.

Bill Smith serves as president, Portfolio Management & Trading, of Harmont Fixed Income in Phoenix.

Disclosures

This commentary is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The information, analysis and opinions expressed herein reflect our judgment and opinions as of the date of writing and are subject to change at any time without notice. This is not intended to be used as a general guide to investing, or as a source of any specific recommendation, and it makes no implied or expressed recommendations concerning the manner in which clients’ accounts should or would be handled, as appropriate strategies depend on the client’s specific objectives.

This commentary is not intended to constitute legal, tax, securities or investment advice or a recommended course of action in any given situation. Investors should not assume that investments in any security, asset class, sector, market, or strategy discussed herein will be profitable and no representations are made that clients will be able to achieve a certain level of performance, or avoid loss.

All investments carry a certain risk and there is no assurance that an investment will provide positive performance over any period of time. Information obtained from third party resources are believed to be reliable but not guaranteed as to its accuracy or reliability. These materials do not purport to contain all the relevant information that investors may wish to consider in making investment decisions and is not intended to be a substitute for exercising independent judgment. Any statements regarding future events constitute only subjective views or beliefs, are not guarantees or projections of performance, should not be relied on, are subject to change due to a variety of factors, including fluctuating market conditions, and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, many of which cannot be predicted or quantified and are beyond our control. Future results could differ materially and no assurance is given that these statements or assumptions are now or will prove to be accurate or complete in any way.

Past performance is not a guarantee or a reliable indicator of future results. Investing in the markets is subject to certain risks including market, interest rate, issuer, credit and inflation risk; investments may be worth more or less than the original cost when redeemed.

Investment advisory services are offered through Dynamic Advisor Solutions, LLC, dba Dynamic Wealth Advisors, an SEC registered investment advisor.

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