Fourth Quarter 2023 Fixed-Income Sector Views (2024)

November 20, 2023

Fixed-Income Sector Views

Fourth Quarter 2023

In this issue of Fixed-Income Sector Views, our Sector Teams identify positive technical trends that have helped to support spreads, but remain vigilant for signs of credit deterioration as the slowing economy and the bite of higher rates start to be felt by issuers. Our investment strategy has remained consistent throughout the year: Continue to upgrade the credit profile of our portfolios and position them for attractive income, potential for capital appreciation, and low likelihood of credit impairment, while reserving dry powder to take on more credit beta if the environment or pricing justifies it. The next major policy moves by the Federal Reserve are likely to provide strong tailwinds for fixed income.

Sector-Specific Outlooks In This Report

Portfolio Management Outlook: Consistent Strategy Through Volatile Times

Macroeconomic Update: The Economy Is Not Immune to the Effect of Tight Monetary Policy

Rates: More Volatility Ahead

Investment-Grade Corporate Bonds: Taking Advantage of Technical Tailwinds

High-Yield Corporate Bonds: Evidence of Monetary Policy Lags in the High-Yield Market

Bank Loans: Technical Dynamics Drive Best Performance Since 2009

Municipal Bonds: Some Relief from Technical Headwinds

ABS-CLOs: Pockets of Opportunity in Structured Credit

Non-Agency RMBS: Housing Strength Continues Despite Elevated Mortgage Rates

CMBS: Fundamental Deterioration Is Not Fully Priced

Agency MBS: A Patient Approach to Agency MBS

Commercial Real Estate: The Rocketing Cost of Property Insurance

Important Notices and Disclosures

This material is distributed or presented for informational or educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product, or as investing advice of any kind. This material is not provided in a fiduciary capacity, may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions, and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. The content contained herein is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and/or a legal opinion. Always consult a financial, tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific situation.

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. The potential impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak are increasingly uncertain, difficult to assess and impossible to predict, and may result in significant losses. Any adverse event could materially and negatively impact the value and performance of our strategies and their ability to achieve their investment objectives. Investments in bonds and other fixed-income instruments are subject to the possibility that interest rates could rise, causing their value to decline. 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.

Applicable to United Kingdom investors: Where this material is distributed in the United Kingdom, 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.

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.

Applicable to Middle East investors: Contents of this report prepared by Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, a registered entity in their respective jurisdiction, and affiliate of Guggenheim Partners Middle East Limited, the Authorized Firm regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This report is intended for qualified investor use only as defined in the DFSA Conduct of Business Module.

© 2023, 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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FEATURED PERSPECTIVES

February 22, 2024
First Quarter 2024 Fixed-Income Sector Views

Investing as the Fed prepares to cut rates.

February 20, 2024
Corporate Credit Quarterly Insights - February 2024

Market and portfolio update from our Corporate Credit team

January 29, 2024
Learning from Turning Points in Monetary Policy

The Case for Moving Into Higher-Quality Fixed Income (and Out of Money Markets and Equities) While the Fed Is Paused… and Ahead of Coming Rate Cuts.

VIDEOS AND PODCASTS

Fourth Quarter 2023 Fixed-Income Sector Views (4)

Are Fixed-Income Investors Being Compensated for the Risks They Are Taking?

Maria Giraldo, Investment Strategist for Guggenheim Investments, joins Asset TV’s Fixed Income Masterclass.

Are Fixed-Income Investors Being Compensated for the Risks They Are Taking?

Macro Markets Podcast Episode 48: Why We Like Structured Credit

Karthik Narayanan and Danny Gibbs give an overview of the structured credit market.

Macro Markets Podcast: Episode #48

Fourth Quarter 2023 Fixed-Income Sector Views (6)

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Fourth Quarter 2023 Fixed-Income Sector Views (2024)
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