Will bonds recover in 2024?
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. In fact, for the 10-year Treasury to deliver a negative return in 2024, the yield would have to rise to 5.3 percent.
Expecting another strong year in 2024
Following large front-loaded new issue supply, EM IG spreads are now at attractive levels versus U.S. credit, setting up EM debt for outperformance. Our 2024 macroeconomic base case features slowing inflation and growth cushioned by Fed rate cuts.
We expect nominal and real yields to fall over 2024, as central banks cut policy rates as inflation falls and/or if downside growth risks rise. US and selective other advanced economy government bond markets currently offer an attractive payoff and distribution of returns.
Fixed income valuations, and a different inflation profile to the past few years, should make 2024 a good year for bonds.
Bond ETFs can offer several potential advantages for investors in 2024, as many analysts expect the economy to slow or enter a recession, which could lead to price appreciation.
We are revising up our end-2024 and end-2025 forecasts for the 10-year Treasury yield by 25bp, to 4%. This reflects recent changes to our projections for the federal funds rate.
High-quality bond investments remain attractive. With yields on investment-grade-rated1 bonds still near 15-year highs,2 we believe investors should continue to consider intermediate- and longer-term bonds to lock in those high yields.
Someone who invested £100 in global bonds in May 2021 saw the value of this investment fall to around £90 by the end of November 2023. However, based on our current forecast of annualised returns of around 5% over the next 10 years, the investment would be back at £100 by early 2026 (shown by the gold line).
Weekly fixed income update highlights
Total returns were negative for Treasuries and most spread sectors. Investment grade corporates, MBS, preferreds and emerging markets all outperformed. Municipal bond yields increased. New issue supply was $6B and fund inflows were $80M.
Stocks and bonds may both be poised for success in 2024. Easing inflation and a pivoting Fed should reduce headwinds that have faced both asset classes in recent years. Resilient growth may prove to be an additional tailwind for stocks.
Should I invest in bonds or CDs?
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)
Treasuries are generally considered"risk-free" since the federal government guarantees them and has never (yet) defaulted. These government bonds are often best for investors seeking a safe haven for their money, particularly during volatile market periods. They offer high liquidity due to an active secondary market.
Offers relatively high potential for investment income; share value tends to rise and fall modestly. May be more appropriate for medium- or long-term goals where you're looking for a reliable income stream.
Is BND a Buy, Hold, or Sell? Based on BND's technical indicators, BND is a Strong Sell.
In its March Mortgage Finance Forecast, the Mortgage Bankers Association predicts that mortgage rates will fall from 6.8% in the first quarter of 2024 to 6.1% by the fourth quarter. The industry group expects rates will fall below the 6% threshold in the first quarter of 2025.
The Board decided to leave the cash rate target unchanged at 4.35 per cent. This decision balances the objectives of monetary policy by supporting the return of inflation to target in a reasonable timeframe with gradual easing in labour market conditions to levels consistent with full employment.
Government debt and the 10-year Treasury note, in particular, are considered among the safest investments. Its price often (but not always) moves inversely to the trend of the major stock market indexes. Central banks tend to lower interest rates in a recession, which reduces the coupon rate on new Treasurys.
Should I only buy bonds when interest rates are high? There are advantages to purchasing bonds after interest rates have risen. Along with generating a larger income stream, such bonds may be subject to less interest rate risk, as there may be a reduced chance of rates moving significantly higher from current levels.
Depending on the interest rate of your bond and your own financial needs, it's generally beneficial to wait until full maturity to redeem them.
Should I buy bonds when interest rates are high?
The answer is both yes and no, depending on why you're investing. Investing in bonds when interest rates have peaked can yield higher returns. However, rising interest rates reward bond investors who reinvest their principal over time. It's hard to time the bond market.
It seems that Buffett has softened his stance. Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio includes a significant amount of short-term bonds, despite its leader's infamous public position. Speaking to CNBC's Becky Quick on Aug. 3, 2023, Buffett admitted: “Berkshire bought $10 billion in U.S. Treasurys last Monday.
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.
Vanguard Is Bullish on Bonds, but Watch Out: It Sees a Recession Approaching Later This Year. Vanguard Group says bond investors “should feel comfortable” about the path ahead. It sees opportunities in longer-term municipal bonds and investment-grade corporate credit, but is cautious on high-yield bonds.
When interest rates rise or fall, investors in mutual funds and ETFs may be more likely to experience volatility in the performance of their investment, while investors in individual bonds who hold their bonds to maturity may not realize any impact.
References
- https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/investment-products/mutual-funds/bond-vs-bond-funds
- https://www.etf.com/sections/etf-basics/best-bond-etfs-2024
- https://www.blackrock.com/us/financial-professionals/insights/capital-markets-predictions-for-2024
- https://www.citizensbank.com/learning/how-to-cash-savings-bonds.aspx
- https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/insights/investment-insights/fixed-income-outlook-2024-bonds-roar-back.html
- https://www.barrons.com/articles/vanguard-bullish-bonds-recession-approaching-5b099db6
- https://corporate.vanguard.com/content/corporatesite/us/en/corp/articles/why-investors-should-consider-emerging-market-bonds-2024.html
- https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/wealth/can-2024-be-year-bond
- https://money.usnews.com/investing/investing-101/articles/the-ultimate-guide-to-bonds
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/does-warren-buffett-invest-in-bonds
- https://www.capitaleconomics.com/publications/global-markets-update/revising-slightly-our-10-year-treasury-yield-forecast
- https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/bnd
- https://www.nuveen.com/en-us/insights/investment-outlook/fixed-income-weekly-commentary
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/021615/what-safest-investment.asp
- https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/why-to-consider-longer-term-bonds-now
- https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/cds-vs-bonds
- https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/smp/2024/feb/overview.html
- https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/articles/latest-thoughts/markets-economy/why-bonds-are-back-thanks-to-higher-rates
- https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/best-bond-etfs-to-buy-now
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/1/10-yeartreasury.asp
- https://www.wtwco.com/en-au/insights/2024/02/global-investment-outlook-2024
- https://www.usbank.com/investing/financial-perspectives/market-news/interest-rates-affect-bonds.html
- https://money.usnews.com/loans/mortgages/mortgage-rate-forecast
- https://www.tipranks.com/etf/bnd/technical-analysis