Analysis  |  July 20, 2022

Time to Allocate to Credit?

Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the full amount invested.

Following a difficult first half for credit markets, we believe it may be worthwhile adding credit to portfolios, especially US high yield credit.

While we remain cautious about the fundamental outlook for growth (i.e., how fast will global economic growth slow as interest rates rise), it seems to us that credit markets appear to be stabilizing and are absorbing bad news rather well (e.g., higher US consumer price and producer price index data, more aggressive Fed rate hikes, disappointing JP Morgan earnings etc.). This may be because most investors have by now conservatively positioned their portfolios.

In aggregate, while we believe credit spreads could be wider given macro uncertainties, we recognize that yields are attractive, prices are at nice discounts and spreads are above their long-term averages. It is important to be keenly aware of the fact that when credit markets approach a bottom, trading volumes fall to low levels rendering good market timing decisions ineffective because offerings become scarce; there are few sellers.

To fully take advantage of a depressed credit market and really achieve good investment results, an investor must be prepared to invest before a market bottom is confirmed, even if this may imply some short-term mark-to-market loss. This will allow a well-positioned portfolio to fully profit from a potentially significant upward market move. We believe now, while uncertainties still abound, may offer a good entry point.

Credit spreads and yields are pretty attractive using a number of metrics.1 As long as our credit research group continues to select solid companies, capital will be preserved through the macro uncertainties while poised for upside capture when the market rebounds. We may be early with this reallocation to better-quality high yield credit, but we believe we shall be well rewarded over a 12-to-24-month horizon with exceptional returns.

Credit spreads could widen further for the following reasons:

1.There are still too many uncertainties around inflation, central bank rate hikes and terminal rates, and the repercussions of a drawn-out Russia/Ukraine conflict.

2.Huge event risk for Europe and global repercussions if Russia decides to shut off all natural gas deliveries. We’ll know later in July how real this risk is.

3.US dollar strength could create an emerging markets financial crisis, led by the weakest frontier sovereigns.

4.A bursting of China’s all-important property sector bubble that can’t be controlled by the government.

5.Stubbornly high energy prices to keep inflation high.

6.European sovereign bond curve fragmentation risks with Italy front and center.

7.Finally, but not least, the US Treasury yield curve is firmly inverting which has been a reliable early indicator of a recession, although it is not that predictive of the severity of a recession.

US high yield credit spreads appear to be stabilizing and trading technicals are improving for the following reasons:

1.Generally, credit metrics today are at a stronger level than credit metrics of past tightening cycles (e.g., US high yield (USHY) not overleveraged and maturity wall not until 2025-2026). 1

2.Minimal bubbles in credit sectors which typically involve rapid growth in issuance like past cycles (e.g., telecoms, energy).

3.In USHY, as an example, defaults are expected to increase from current low levels but stay below 4% for the next year (our own forecast) which means spreads are too wide (current USHY spreads imply a default rate of about 5%).1

4.Price discounts are at attractive levels, levels that generally suggest a more difficult outlook but really are because, in all probability, rates are higher and average market coupons are lower.

5.Given low maturities over the next two years, issuance has been low which has not pressured spreads further.

6.Anecdotally it seems most investors are underweight duration and credit risk and essentially the need to sell has dropped.

7.Our traders indicate that offerings of bonds we would deem as attractive are very low and any amount of real money buying will push prices higher.

Conclusion. It is extremely difficult to pick the market bottom. It is important to start putting a portfolio together as prices fall and before quality bonds become too scarce to buy at compelling prices. Now is a good time to start a re-allocation to credit. We believe investors will be well rewarded for increasing their exposure to credit in the coming weeks.

1.Source: ICE Index Platform, ICE BofA ML US Cash Pay High Yield Index (J0A0), as of 18th July 2022

 

 

This material is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research, or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The opinions expressed by Muzinich & Co are as of July 2022 and may change without notice. All data figures are from Bloomberg as of 18 July 2022, unless otherwise stated


FOR PROFESSIONAL/ WHOLESALE CLIENTS & QUALIFIED/ ACCREDITED/ INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS ONLY

Index Descriptions

HE00 – The ICE BofA ML Euro High Yield Index tracks the performance of EUR dominated below investment grade corporate debt publicly issued in the euro domestic or eurobond markets. Qualifying securities must have a below investment grade rating (based on an average of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch), at least 18 months to final maturity at the time of issuance, at least one year remaining term to final maturity, a fixed coupon schedule and a minimum amount outstanding of EUR 250 million.

J0A0 – The ICE BofA ML US Cash Pay High Yield Index tracks the performance of US dollar denominated below investment grade corporate debt, currently in a coupon paying period that is publicly issued in the US domestic market.  Qualifying securities must have a below investment grade rating (based on an average of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch), at least 18 months to final maturity at the time of issuance, at least one year remaining term to final maturity as of the rebalancing date, a fixed coupon schedule and a minimum amount outstanding of $250 million.

GI00 – The ICE BofA ML Global Corporate & High Yield Index tracks the performance of investment grade and below investment grade corporate debt publicly issued in the major domestic and eurobond markets. Qualifying securities must be rated by either Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, have at least one year remaining term to final maturity, at least 18 months to maturity at point of issuance and a fixed coupon schedule.

Important Information 

Muzinich & Co.”, “Muzinich” and/or the “Firm” referenced herein is defined as Muzinich & Co. Inc. and its affiliates. This material has been produced for information purposes only and as such the views contained herein are not to be taken as investment advice. Opinions are as of date of publication and are subject to change without reference or notification to you. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future results and should not be the sole factor of consideration when selecting a product or strategy. The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Rates of exchange may cause the value of investments to rise or fall. Emerging Markets may be more risky than more developed markets for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, increased political, social and economic instability, heightened pricing volatility and reduced market liquidity.

Any research in this document has been obtained and may have been acted on by Muzinich for its own purpose. The results of such research are being made available for information purposes and no assurances are made as to their accuracy. Opinions and statements of financial market trends that are based on market conditions constitute our judgment and this judgment may prove to be wrong. The views and opinions expressed should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell or invitation to engage in any investment activity, they are for information purposes only.

Any forward-looking information or statements expressed in the above may prove to be incorrect. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation that the objectives and plans discussed herein will be achieved. Muzinich gives no undertaking that it shall update any of the information, data and opinions contained in the above.

United States: This material is for Institutional Investor use only – not for retail distribution. Muzinich & Co., Inc. is a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Muzinich & Co., Inc.’s being a Registered Investment Adviser with the SEC in no way shall imply a certain level of skill or training or any authorization or approval by the SEC.

Issued in the European Union by Muzinich & Co. (Ireland) Limited, which is authorized and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Registered in Ireland, Company Registration No. 307511. Registered address: 32 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, D02 Y512, Ireland. Issued in Switzerland by Muzinich & Co. (Switzerland) AG. Registered in Switzerland No. CHE-389.422.108. Registered address: Tödistrasse 5, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland. Issued in Singapore and Hong Kong by Muzinich & Co. (Singapore) Pte. Limited, which is licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Registered in Singapore No. 201624477K. Registered address: 6 Battery Road, #26-05, Singapore, 049909. Issued in all other jurisdictions (excluding the U.S.) by Muzinich & Co. Limited. which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3852444. Registered address: 8 Hanover Street, London W1S 1YQ, United Kingdom. 2022-07-19-9060