First Quarter 2024 Fixed-Income Sector Views

First Quarter 2024

History shows that when the Federal Reserve (Fed) is paused and easing, longer duration higher quality fixed income has outperformed riskier assets, as well as money market instruments. In this environment, we continue to favor exposure to non-Agency RMBS, senior CLO tranches, commercial ABS, and short duration, higher quality high yield. Structured credit opportunities have generally offered less mark-to-market volatility than similarly rated corporate credit, with higher investable yields. Longer term, we expect the yield curve to bull steepen so we have a marginal bias to increasing our duration exposure to the belly of the curve. We continue to maintain a healthy allocation to short-term investments as dry powder for taking advantage of opportunities as they arise.

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This material contains opinions of the author or speaker, but not necessarily those of Guggenheim Partners, LLC or its subsidiaries. The opinions contained herein are subject to change without notice. Forward-looking statements, estimates, and certain information contained herein are based upon proprietary and non-proprietary research and other sources. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but are not assured as to accuracy. Past performance is not indicative of future results. There is neither representation nor warranty as to the current accuracy of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information. No part of this material may be reproduced or referred to in any form, without express written permission of Guggenheim Partners, LLC.

Past performance is not indicative of future results. There is neither representation nor warranty as to the current accuracy or, nor liability for, decisions based on such information.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. In general, the value of a fixed-income security falls when interest rates rise and rises when interest rates fall. Longer term bonds are more sensitive to interest rate changes and subject to greater volatility than those with shorter maturities. During periods of declining rates, the interest rates on floating rate securities generally reset downward and their value is unlikely to rise to the same extent as comparable fixed rate securities.Investors in asset-backed securities, including mortgage-backed securities, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and other structured finance investments generally receive payments that are part interest and part return of principal. These payments may vary based on the rate at which the underlying borrowers pay off their loans. Some asset-backed securities, including mortgage-backed securities, may have structures that make their reaction to interest rates and other factors difficult to predict, causing their prices to be volatile. These instruments are particularly subject to interest rate, credit and liquidity and valuation risks. High-yield bonds may present additional risks because these securities may be less liquid, and therefore more difficult to value accurately and sell at an advantageous price or time, and present more credit risk than investment grade bonds. The price of high yield securities tends to be subject to greater volatility due to issuer-specific operating results and outlook and to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions. Bank loans, including loan syndicates and other direct lending opportunities, involve special types of risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk, counter-party risk and prepayment risk. Loans may offer a fixed or floating interest rate. Loans are often generally below investment grade, may be unrated, and can be difficult to value accurately and may be more susceptible to liquidity risk than fixed-income instruments of similar credit quality and/or maturity. Municipal bonds may be subject to credit, interest, prepayment, liquidity, and valuation risks. In addition, municipal securities can be affected by unfavorable legislative or political developments and adverse changes in the economic and fiscal conditions of state and municipal issuers or the federal government in case it provides financial support to such issuers. A company’s preferred stock generally pays dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Investments in real estate securities are subject to the same risks as direct investments in real estate, which is particularly sensitive to economic downturns.

Basis point: One basis point is equal to 0.01 percent. Likewise, 100 basis points equals 1 percent. Beta: Beta is a statistical measure of volatility relative to the overall market. A positive beta indicates movement in the same direction as the market, while a negative beta indicates movement inverse to the market. Beta for the market is generally considered to be 1. A beta above 1 and below -1 indicates more volatility than the market. A beta between 1 to -1 indicates less volatility than the market. Dry Powder refers to highly liquid assets, such as cash or money market instruments, that can be invested when more attractive investment opportunities arise.

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Applicable to European Investors: Where this material is distributed to existing investors and pre 1 January 2021 prospect relationships based in mainland Europe, it is done so by Guggenheim Investment Advisers (Europe) Ltd., a U.K. Company authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 499798) and is directed only at persons who are professional clients or eligible counterparties for the purposes of the FCA’s Conduct of Business Sourcebook.

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© 2024, Guggenheim Partners, LLC. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of Guggenheim Partners, LLC. Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC is an affiliate of Guggenheim Partners, LLC. For information, call 800.345.7999 or 800.820.0888.

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First Quarter 2024 Fixed-Income Sector Views

Investing as the Fed prepares to cut rates.

Fixed-Income Sector Views