Are UK bonds recovering?
According to our latest forecasts, we now expect UK and global ex-UK (GBP hedged) bonds to return around 4.9% and 5.0%, respectively, on an annualised basis over the next decade, compared with our previous 10-year annualised forecasts of 1.3% and 1.3%, respectively, before the rate-hiking cycle began.
We expect UK bonds to deliver annualised2 returns of around 4.4%-5.4% over the next decade, compared with the 0.8%-1.8% 10-year annualised returns we expected at the end of 2021, before the rate-hiking cycle began.
My expectation for 2024 is that it will offer a great chance for bond investors to potentially benefit from the high yields that the asset class currently offers, providing that credit research teams can be successful in telling the difference between companies that can refinance their bonds easily and those that might ...
"With interest rates poised to start falling, the great rates we saw offered on new fixed income products last year will likely not be available this year," she says. "That said, there are still attractive investment opportunities available in the bond market for investors seeking more predictable returns."
We expect the 10-year gilt yield to end 2024 around 4%, slightly lower than its US counterpart due to lower economic growth. Structurally higher inflation leads us to maintain a neutral stance on UK government bonds.
Key central bank rates and bond yields remain high globally and are likely to remain elevated well into 2024 before retreating. Further, the chance of higher policy rates from here is slim; the potential for rates to decline is much higher.
When bond yields increase, their prices fall and government bonds have lost a lot of value since the start of 2022. As an example, the average total return of the IA UK Gilts sector from 31 December 2021 to 31 October 2023 has been -27.61%. We've seen rates rocket from near zero to 5%.
In line with the outlook from other investment providers, the firm is forecasting a 5.7% gain in 2024 for U.S. investment-grade bonds, versus 4.9% last year and 2.3% in 2022.
The table on the right shows that bond prices often recover within 8 to 12 months. Unnerved investors that are selling their bond funds risk missing out when bond returns recover. It is important to acknowledge that some of those strong recoveries were helped by bond yields that were higher than they are today.
Three new portfolios join the fray of the most recommended. Artemis Income, Liontrust UK Growth and iShares Corporate Bond Index are the latest funds to become the most recommended by best-buy lists in 2024.
Is it worth investing in UK government bonds?
Gilts and government bonds
Gilts are widely viewed as being among the safest type of bond. However, the interest rate, or yield, available from Gilts is usually quite low – as with all investments, to enjoy potentially higher returns, you need to take on more risk.
You can choose from a government or corporate bond. Government bonds, also known as gilts, are low risk and are generally considered safer than corporate bonds, so you'll likely get a lower rate in comparison.
Government bonds are a good option if you're looking for stable domestic or international investments, while corporate bonds may suit you if you want to take a bit more risk in exchange for higher potential growth.
Government bonds are usually viewed as low-risk investments, because the likelihood of a government defaulting on its loan payment tends to be low. But defaults can still happen, and a riskier bond will usually trade at a lower price than a bond with lower risk and a similar interest rate.
- Private financial institutions – banks, pension funds, investment trusts and also private households.
- 27% is held by overseas investors (e.g. American investment trusts/Japanese banks)
- 23% is held by Bank of England – as part of Quantitative easing/asset purchase programme.
UK borrowing (the amount of gilts issued to the market) in 2024/25 will be higher than expected and is now thought likely to be around £265bn, instead of £258bn. While this is an increase, which on its own could potentially be bad for gilt prices, when coupled with expected higher growth, the impact is minimal.
The valuations of small-capitalization stocks in particular seem to already price in a recession. As for fixed income, we expect a strong bounce-back year to play out over the course of 2024. When bond yields are high, the income earned is often enough to offset most price fluctuations.
Waiting for the Fed to cut rates before considering longer term bonds isn't our preferred approach. The bond market is forward-looking and long-term Treasury yields typically decline once investors believe that rate cuts are coming.
Vanguard's active fixed income team believes emerging markets (EM) bonds could outperform much of the rest of the fixed income market in 2024 because of the likelihood of declining global interest rates, the current yield premium over U.S. investment-grade bonds, and a longer duration profile than U.S. high yield.
Right now, UK treasury yields are rising because investors are trying to sell UK government bonds – falling demand makes the price drop. And this isn't just happening in the UK. The same is true around the world.
Why is UK bond yield so high?
Borrowing costs for governments around the world have risen to the highest level in decades as investors bet that stubbornly high inflation will force global central banks to leave interest rates higher for longer.
Gilt and index-linked gilt funds – mainly invest in bonds issued by the UK government. They typically have a lower risk of default and lower yields than corporate bonds. Index-linked gilts typically increase any income paid, and the capital repaid at redemption, in line with inflation.
If bond yields rise, existing bonds lose value. The change in bond values only relates to a bond's price on the open market, meaning if the bond is sold before maturity, the seller will obtain a higher or lower price for the bond compared to its face value, depending on current interest rates.
After weighing your timeline, tolerance to risk and goals, you'll likely know whether CDs or bonds are right for you. CDs are usually best for investors looking for a safe, shorter-term investment. Bonds are typically longer, higher-risk investments that deliver greater returns and a predictable income.
- iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG)
- Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW)
- Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS)
- DoubleLine Commercial Real Estate ETF (DCRE)
- Global X 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (CLIP)
- SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF (SPBO)
- JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF (JPST)
- iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF)
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