Model bond portfolios offer investors a carefully chosen mix of corporate bonds that suit the current interest rate environment, and can be used to supplement an allocation to individual fixed income securities.
Our model bond portfolios include only investment grade bonds, so they are safer and more stable in paying interest and repaying principal and provide a simpler way to manage risk and optimise returns.
Our investment grade model bond portfolios offer the advantage of being designed and actively managed by fixed income experts. Our credit strategy team uses professional analysis and extensive research to assess each corporate bond and ensure ongoing evaluation of individual performance.
We believe the case for Fixed Income is compelling.
At today’s starting yields, Fixed Income offers the potential for attractive returns and can help cushion portfolios in a downturn. Medium-term Australia duration is most appealing given the shape of the yield curve and our economic and interest rate outlook. We have a permitted maximum weighted average modified duration of 4 years.
Australia remains a rate-sensitive market as a large portion of homeowners have a floating mortgage rate. Australia saw another rise in the official cash rate on Melbourne Cup Day. This increase is expected to add challenges to those facing mortgage stress as the RBA gets inflation under control. For those who believe inflation is still above where central banks (and the RBA want it), we have constructed a portfolio of floating-rate bonds. Floating-rate bonds provide a way to generate a return that keeps pace with rising interest rates.
Currently, there are many high-quality corporate bond names at between 6-7% yield within the Australian BBB corporate credit curve, with historically low credit risk. There is also a large opportunity cost of moving up the corporate credit curve (to quality), from BBB corporate credit to A or even AA-rated securities. This is because the spread per unit of credit risk is optimised at the BBB level based on historical default rates.
If you believe that Australian investment grade will still perform solidly given corporate fundamentals remain in tip-top shape, then you’re best placed to earn the additional income on offer in fixed and floating-rate corporate bonds.
Our investment-grade model bond portfolios are designed for investors seeking predictable fixed income in the current interest rate environment.
IAM’s Capital Markets team can tailor a bespoke approach for investors seeking a wider range of Investment Grade and high yield bonds under a Managed Discretionary Account (MDA) or Separately Managed Account (SMA) structure, or via the IAM Global Opportunities Credit Fund.
|
|
Yield to maturity |
Interest Rate Duration (years) |
|
Wholesale investment grade balanced model portfolio |
6.17% |
3.47 |
|
Fixed rate tier 2 model portfolio |
5.48% |
5.01 |
|
Floating rate tier 2 model portfolio |
5.66% |
0.12 |
*as of March 2024.
**Yield to maturity is calculated based on Ask pricing with 75c of brokerage applied
|
Portfolio #1 |
||||||
|
Weighting |
YTM |
Interest Rate Duration |
Average Maturity |
WA Credit Rating* |
Implied P(D)** |
|
|
Balanced |
30% |
6.17* |
3.47 |
5.97 |
BBB+ |
0.175 |
|
Fixed |
30% |
5.48* |
5.01 |
6.23 |
A- |
0.096 |
|
Float |
30% |
5.66* |
0.12 |
3.70 |
A- |
0.096 |
|
GCOF |
10% |
10.2 |
1.10 |
2.7 |
BB- |
2.40 |
|
Total |
6.21 |
2.58 |
5.06 |
BBB+ |
0.1101 |
|
|
Portfolio #2 |
||||||
|
Weights |
YTM |
Interest Rate Duration |
Average Maturity |
WA Credit Rating* |
Implied P(D)** |
|
|
Balanced |
10% |
6.17* |
3.47 |
5.97 |
BBB+ |
0.175 |
|
Fixed |
40% |
5.48* |
5.01 |
6.23 |
A- |
0.096 |
|
Float |
40% |
5.66* |
0.12 |
3.70 |
A- |
0.096 |
|
GCOF |
10% |
10.2 |
1.10 |
2.7 |
BB- |
2.40 |
|
Total |
6.093 |
2.399 |
4.859 |
BBB+ |
0.1101 |
|
*Yield to maturity is calculated based on Ask pricing with 75c of brokerage applied
^As of March 2024.
**The Implied P(D) is measured by the Bloomberg Corporate Default Risk Model (DRSK) and a quantitative metric. The DRSK public model estimates forward-looking real-world default probabilities for publicly traded firms. The model also assigns credit grades based on the estimated default probabilities. We have listed the implied default probabilities on the right. For further information please see [Combining credit risk methodologies for 360 surveillance | Insights | Bloomberg Professional Services].
IG1 0.0000 – 0.0020 AAA
IG2 0.0020 – 0.0040 AA+
IG3 0.0040 – 0.0080 AA
IG4 0.0080 – 0.0152 AA-
IG5 0.0152 – 0.0286 A+
IG6 0.0286 – 0.0529 A
IG7 0.0529 – 0.0960 A-
IG8 0.0960 – 0.1715 BBB+
IG9 0.1715 – 0.3000 BBB
IG10 0.3000 – 0.5200 BBB-
HY1 0.52 – 0.88 BB+
HY2 0.88 – 1.50 BB
HY3 1.50 – 2.40 BB-
HY4 2.40 – 4.00 B+
HY5 4.00 – 6.00 B
HY6 6.00 – 10.00 B-
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IAM Capital Markets Limited (AFSL 283119) (‘IAM Capital Markets’) is a financial service business and provides general financial product advice only. As a result, this document, the Content and the Reports are not intended to provide financial product advice and must not be relied upon or construed as such. IAM Capital Markets does not express any opinion on the future or expected value of any financial product and does not explicitly or implicitly recommend or suggest an investment strategy of any kind. The Content and the Reports provided in this document have been prepared based on available data to which IAM Capital Markets have access. Neither the accuracy of that data nor the research methodology used to produce the Content and Reports can be or is guaranteed or warranted. Some of the research used to create the Content and the Reports is based on past performance. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance. Any forecasts are predictive in character and based on specified assumptions generally available at the time and no reliance should be placed on the accuracy of any forecast information. The actual results may differ substantially from the forecasts and are subject to change without further notice. The data generated by the research in the Content or the Reports is based on research methodology that has limitations; and some of the information in the Content or the Reports is based on information from third parties. IAM Capital Markets does not guarantee the currency of the Content or the Reports. If you would like to assess the currency, you should compare the Content or the Reports with more recent characteristics and performance of the assets mentioned within it.
You acknowledge that investment can give rise to substantial risk and a product mentioned in the Content or the Reports may not be suitable to you. The Content and Reports have been provided or made available by IAM Capital Markets without taking account of your objectives, financial situation, and needs. IAM Capital Markets strongly recommends that you seek independent accounting, financial, taxation, and legal advice, tailored to your specific objectives, financial situation or needs, prior to making any investment decision. Neither IAM Capital Markets, nor any of its directors, authorised representatives, employees, or agents, makes any representation or warranty as to the reliability, accuracy, or completeness, of the Content and Reports. Nor does IAM Capital Markets accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way (including negligence) for errors in, or omissions from the Content and Reports. IAM Capital Markets, its staff and related parties earn fees and revenue from dealing in the securities as principal or otherwise and may have an interest in any securities mentioned in this document. Any reference to credit ratings of companies, entities or financial products must only be relied upon by a ‘wholesale client’ as that term is defined in section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). IAM Capital Markets does not provide tax advice and is not a registered tax agent or tax (financial) advisor, nor are any of IAM Capital Markets’ staff or authorised representatives. IAM Capital Markets does not make a market in the securities or products that may be referred to in this document.
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BondAdviser has acted on information provided to it and our research is subject to change based on legal offering documents. This research is for informational purposes only. We note that this security offering is only being made to investors who are not retail clients under the Corporations Act nor located outside Australia This information discusses general market activity, industry or sector trends, or other broad-based economic, market or political conditions and should not be construed as research or investment advice. The Content of this Report is not intended to provide financial product advice and must not be relied upon as such. The Content and the Reports are not and shall not be construed as financial product advice. The statements and/or recommendations on this web application, the Content and/or the Reports are our opinions only. We do not express any opinion on the future or expected value of any Security and do not explicitly or implicitly recommend or suggest an investment strategy of any kind. The Content and Reports provided have been prepared based on available data to which we have access. Neither the accuracy of that data nor the methodology used to produce the Report can be guaranteed or warranted. Some of the research used to create the Content is based on past performance. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that any opinion or recommendation is based on reasonable grounds. The data generated by the research is based on methodology that has limitations; and some of the information in the Reports is based on information from third parties. We do not guarantee the currency of the Report. If you would like to assess the currency, you should compare the Reports with more recent characteristics and performance of the assets mentioned within it. You acknowledge that investment can give rise to substantial risk and a product mentioned in the Reports may not be suitable to you. You should obtain independent advice specific to your particular circumstances, make your own enquiries and satisfy yourself before you make any investment decisions or use the Report for any purpose. This Report provides general information only. There has been no regard whatsoever to your own personal or business needs, your individual circumstances, your own financial position or investment objectives in preparing the information. We do not accept responsibility for any loss or damage, however caused (including through negligence), which you may directly or indirectly suffer in connection with your use of this Report, nor do we accept any responsibility for any such loss arising out of your use of, or reliance on, information contained on or accessed through this Report.
