Global Bonds: A World Without Yield

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1 Global Bonds: A World Without Yield June 24, 2016 by Kathy Jones of Charles Schwab Key Points Near- or below-zero bond yields in major global markets are likely to persist into the second half of the year, due to soft global growth, central bank buying and strong investor demand for bonds. However, we doubt the strong performance year to date can be repeated in the second half of the year, especially in the riskier areas of the fixed income market. With yields low and prices high, bonds are susceptible to setbacks. Investors with exposure to international and low-credit-quality bonds may want to re-examine the allocations within their fixed income portfolios, as risks are rising and the potential rewards are declining. The plunge in global bond yields intensified during the past month. While short-term interest rates have been less than zero in some markets for quite some time, longer-term bond yields have recently fallen back to the zero level. Ten-year Japanese government bond yields are already in negative territory, with major European yields nearing the zero mark. Overall, record-low yields have been reached in Japan, Germany and the U.K., and Fitch Ratings estimates that more than $10 trillion in government bonds now have negative yields. 10-year bond yields have fallen in the U.S. and other developed economies Page 1, 2018 Advisor Perspectives, Inc. All rights reserved.

2 Source: Bloomberg, monthly data as of 6/6/ Note: Year-end average yield represents an equalweighted average of each country's 10-year government bond yield at the close of each calendar year listed, except for 2016, which is as of 6/10/2016. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Contributing factors Global bond yields are declining against a backdrop of factors including slowing economic growth, central bank buying and strong demand for bonds (remember that bond yields move inversely to bond prices). Let s take a look at some of these contributing factors: 1. Central bank buying has reduced bond supply Aggressive central bank bond purchases are a significant factor in the recent drop in bond yields. As a result of its quantitative-easing programs, the Federal Reserve has over $4 trillion, or about 24% of gross domestic product (GDP), in bonds on its balance sheet. The Fed estimates this has reduced 1 long-term interest rates by about 75 to 100 basis points. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) holds the equivalent of 83% of Japan s GDP on its balance sheet, and continues to buy more assets. 2 Most recently, the European Central Bank (ECB) has stepped up its purchases of bonds. Having nearly exhausted the supply of government bonds it can buy, the ECB is now buying corporate bonds in an effort to reduce financing costs for companies, hoping this will stimulate economic growth. Assets of central banks as a proportion of GDP Page 2, 2018 Advisor Perspectives, Inc. All rights reserved.

3 Sources: National statistical agencies and central banks via the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, European Central Bank, Statistics Bureau of Japan (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications). Monthly data as of April Assets are calculated as percentages of quarterly GDP; generally there is a one-quarter lag between assets and GDP. 2. Supply has fallen amid growing demand for yield On the demand side, investors with long time horizons are scrambling to find positive yields. Investors such as pension funds and insurance companies, which are obligated to pay distributions in the years ahead, need long-term assets to generate income. Not surprisingly, they are more inclined to buy positive-yielding bonds than those with negative yields. Consequently, demand for riskier bonds has been strong. In addition to falling European corporate bond yields, there has been a decline in yields in non-core European countries, such as Portugal, and emerging market bonds, including local currency bonds. The difference in yield between EM local currency bonds and the Barclay s U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is at the narrowest level since Difference between the Barclays Emerging Markets Local Currency Government Index yield and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index yield Page 3, 2018 Advisor Perspectives, Inc. All rights reserved.

4 Source: Barclays, monthly data as of 5/31/2016. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The U.S. Treasury market has benefited from the trend as well. Foreign buying of U.S. Treasuries surged by $136 billion, or 2.2% year over year, in the first quarter of 2016, according to the Federal Reserve s flow of funds report, reversing a decline seen in So far in the second quarter, Treasury auctions have seen strong bidding from indirect bidders usually foreign investors for 10 and 30-year bonds. Even at a paltry 1.61% yield, U.S. Treasury bonds are attractive compared with Japanese bonds at 0.16% and German bonds at 0.02%. As long as yields are near or below zero in other markets, demand for U.S. Treasuries is likely to remain firm. Treasury holdings Page 4, 2018 Advisor Perspectives, Inc. All rights reserved.

5 Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Z.1 Financial Accounts of the United States, Federal Reserve Statistical Release as of 6/9/ 2015 and Historical Annual Tables, Global growth has slowed Because long-term bond yields are often a function of expectations for short-term rates combined with a risk premium for inflation, the steep drop implies reduced prospects for growth going forward. The current yields in major bond markets imply little expectation for central banks to raise rates or for inflation to rebound over the course of the next decade. Flattening yield curves in which the difference between long-term rates and short-term rates is narrowing are another sign of declining expectations for growth and inflation over the long run. Supporting this view, the World Bank recently lowered its estimates for global GDP growth this year to 2.4%, from the 2.9% pace projected in January. It cited sluggish growth in advanced economies, stubbornly low commodity prices, weak global trade and diminishing capital flows as the reasons behind the downgrade in expectations. Also, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) s leading indicators suggest that growth momentum in several parts of the world is slowing. As long as growth prospects remain muted, bond yields are likely to remain low. Global leading economic indicators show sluggish growth Page 5, 2018 Advisor Perspectives, Inc. All rights reserved.

6 Source: OECD, as of March The OECD s work is based on continued monitoring of events in member countries as well as outside the OECD area, and includes regular projections of short- and medium-term economic developments. Risk up/reward down While we expect global bond yields to remain low or even fall further in the next few months, investors are facing a diminishing risk/reward outlook for their international bond investments. Investors may find themselves paying to hold foreign bonds rather than getting paid for it. Prices could continue to rise, but as yields move into negative territory, earning positive returns will require either yields falling further below zero, or foreign currencies rising relative to the dollar. For investors with some allocation to foreign bonds, we suggest re-assessing that allocation. If the international bonds you hold in your portfolio or through a bond fund have appreciated sharply, it may be time to reallocate some of those profits into less-risky bonds. International bonds provide diversification in a portfolio, so some allocation makes sense, but if you find yourself holding negativeyielding bonds in your portfolio or through your bond fund, it may be time to reassess that exposure. 1 A basis point is one hundredth of one percent, so 75 to 100 basis points equals 0.75% to 1.00%. 2 The Bank of Japan has been buying other assets in addition to government debt, including equity exchange-traded funds and real estate investment trusts. Important Disclosures The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment Page 6, 2018 Advisor Perspectives, Inc. All rights reserved.

7 strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks, including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors. International investments involve additional risks, which include differences in financial accounting standards, currency fluctuations, geopolitical risk, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks. Diversification strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based flagship benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. The index includes Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-throughs), ABS and CMBS (agency and non-agency). The Barclays Emerging Markets Local Currency Government Index is designed to provide a broad measure of the performance of local currency Emerging Markets (EM) debt. Classification as an Emerging Market is rules-based and reviewed on an annual basis using World Bank income group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) country classifications. (0616-GW2G) Charles Schwab Page 7, 2018 Advisor Perspectives, Inc. All rights reserved.