By Salvatore J. Bruno, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director, IndexIQ
When interest rates fall through the floor, the ability to generate income becomes more difficult, and more valuable. As of May 22, for example, the yield on 10-year U.S. treasuries was around 0.67%. Not a lot.
The challenge is a familiar one: everyone wants more income, but generating it from bonds usually means going further out on the yield curve, or investing in riskier assets. In times of high volatility and economic uncertainty this may not be an attractive option for many investors.
Going short, however, doesn’t mean having to forgo all income. A corollary to living in a time of extremely low interest rates is that every additional basis point counts. A hundred basis points – one percent – matters a lot. There are a wide variety of debt instruments available to investors in addition to treasuries, many with higher yields. These include corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and convertible corporate bonds, among others. As with other types of debt, maturities and credit quality are variable but it is possible to have a portfolio of these instruments that is short duration, investment grade, and with a more attractive yield than that currently offered by 10-year treasuries.
Duration and credit quality are the key. Duration is a tool for measuring how a security will react to a change in interest rates. The longer duration the more sensitive (volatile) it will be to interest rate changes. Duration is different than simple maturity – the date on which principal is required to be repaid – in that it incorporates other characteristics including yield, coupon payments, principal payments and call dates. As the value of an instrument changes over time, so will its duration. Shorter duration usually translates into lower volatility.
Credit quality is the second major variable in any fixed income portfolio. Higher rated securities are generally safer; the trade-off is a lower yield. But of course risk is also a function of time. In an ideal world, all bonds would pay off at maturity (or before). In the real world, going out longer on the curve adds uncertainty. Many investors would prefer not to have to worry about that additional risk. Keeping duration at or around one year can help address that concern.
The other side of the income equation is the practical one: what it means for purchasing power. What can you buy with the dollars generated by your portfolio? How is that impacted by inflation? Deflation? Interest rates are down, but many prices have been moving down as well as seen in the 0.4% decline in the April Consumer Price Index (CPI), the biggest drop since 1957 (though interestingly, the costs for food at home rose by 2.6% in the same period as locked-down consumers headed to the grocery stores or took advantage of delivery options to stock up). That means that while coupon payments on short-term funds may be low, they have generally moved with overall price levels, providing some protection for purchasing power for income-oriented investors.
Finally, there’s preservation of capital. Investors who are concerned about market volatility but want to continue to generate potential income may find going short to be an attractive solution. One vehicle with such an objective is an actively-managed ETF like the IQ Ultra Short Duration ETF (ULTR). It invests in a diversified mix of short-term, investment grade fixed income instruments. Its recent SEC 30 day current* yield was 1.33% as of May 31, 2020.
Going short doesn’t have to mean going without yield.
* The 30-Day SEC Yield is based on net investment income for the 30-day period ended 5/31/20, divided by the offering price per share on that date. Yield reflects a fee waiver and/or expense limitation agreement without which the 30-Day SEC Yield would have been 1.23%.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results, which will vary. All investments are subject to market risk and will fluctuate in value.
This material represents an assessment of the market environment as at a specific date; is subject to change; and is not intended to be a forecast of future events or a guarantee of future results. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding the funds or any issuer or security in particular.
The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and are not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective.
This material contains general information only and does not take into account an individual’s financial circumstances. This information should not be relied upon as a primary basis for an investment decision. Rather, an assessment should be made as to whether the information is appropriate in individual circumstances and consideration should be given to talking to a financial advisor before making an investment decision.
“New York Life Investments” is both a service mark, and the common trade name, of certain investment advisors affiliated with New York Life Insurance Company. IndexIQ® is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of New York Life Investment Management Holdings LLC and serves as the advisor to the IndexIQ ETFs. ALPS Distributors, Inc. (ALPS) is the principal underwriter of the ETFs. NYLIFE Distributors LLC is a distributor of the ETFs. NYLIFE Distributors LLC is located at 30 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302. ALPS Distributors, Inc. is not affiliated with NYLIFE Distributors LLC. NYLIFE Distributors LLC is a Member FINRA/SIPC.
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June 20, 2020 at 11:00PM
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Going Short Doesn’t Have to Mean no Yield - ETF Trends
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