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Capital IdeasTM

Investment insights from Capital Group

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Fixed Income
Looking for reliable income? Consider a multi-sector approach
Damien J. McCann
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager
Flavio Carpenzano
Fixed Income Investment Director

Although fixed income markets enjoyed a strong rally over 2023, bond yields remain at attractive levels, particularly across the key income generating sectors. With markets now reflecting a likely peak in policy rates, the window of opportunity to capture the current lucrative level of income is narrowing.


With starting yields at levels between c.5% and 8%, depending on the sector, the potential for fixed income assets to generate higher income is positive. Furthermore, with inflation having decelerated meaningfully, the yields on offer in real terms are particularly compelling.


Not only are income prospects attractive, starting yields are often a good proxy for the longer-term total returns that can be expected from bonds1. This implies that, in certain areas of the fixed income markets, investors have the potential to realise compelling positive returns from their bond investments over the longer term, with the benefit of lower volatility than equities.


By investing broadly to diversify risks rather than concentrating exposure in one sector, there is the opportunity to generate an attractive high income and more consistent returns. 


We have identified four key credit sectors that, combined, target reliable income with an attractive risk/return profile. These are: US high yield, US investment grade corporates, emerging market debt and securitised credit. Each sector has its own distinctive characteristics that complement each other to support a stable income stream.


Taking a multi-sector approach that draws on flexibility and diversification while maintaining a balanced risk profile could help capture the income-generating power of bonds, particularly in a new regime of structurally higher rates relative to pre-pandemic levels.


1. Based on average 5-year forward returns for yields at recent levels (31 March 2024) in USD using data back to 2004 for all sectors. Based on average monthly returns for each sector when in a +/- 0.3% range of yield to worst. Sources: Capital Group, Bloomberg



Damien J. McCann is a fixed income portfolio manager with 24 years of investment industry experience (as of 12/31/2023). He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on finance from California State University, Northridge. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

Flavio Carpenzano is a fixed income investment director at Capital Group. He has 18 years of investment experience and has been with Capital Group for one year. He holds a master’s degree in finance and economics from Università Bocconi. Flavio is based in London. 


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Past results are not predictive of results in future periods. It is not possible to invest directly in an index, which is unmanaged. The value of investments and income from them can go down as well as up and you may lose some or all of your initial investment. This information is not intended to provide investment, tax or other advice, or to be a solicitation to buy or sell any securities.

Statements attributed to an individual represent the opinions of that individual as of the date published and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Capital Group or its affiliates. All information is as at the date indicated unless otherwise stated. Some information may have been obtained from third parties, and as such the reliability of that information is not guaranteed.

Capital Group manages equity assets through three investment groups. These groups make investment and proxy voting decisions independently. Fixed income investment professionals provide fixed income research and investment management across the Capital organization; however, for securities with equity characteristics, they act solely on behalf of one of the three equity investment groups.