For the entire document (with exhibits) and important disclosures associated with its content, view original document (PDF)

Is This Time Different?

After Strong Performance in the First Quarter, Corporate Bond Spreads are Widening in April Due to European and U.S. Growth Concerns

The Corporate bond market posted 34 basis points (bps) of positive excess returns vs. U.S. Treasuries in March, generated mainly by the Finance sector as well as short-to-intermediate Industrial and Utility credits. At month-end, Spain released its budget and shortly thereafter, the disappointing U.S. jobs data was released. Hence, spreads have widened this month, Finance and European credits bearing the brunt of the widening. As evidenced by the reaction from both the equity and bond markets, Europe remains on investors’ minds as well as the vigor of U.S. growth.

European Headlines Will Persist

We detailed the challenges Spain faces fiscally and politically in our recent white paper (“AAM Thought Leadership: The Pain in Spain Falls Mainly on the…” ). We believe that Spain will likely need to request formal support from the Troika sometime during 2012 or 2013 (and potentially much sooner). The increase in TARGET2 balances (bank borrowings from the Eurosystem) for Italy as well as Spain is also concerning. This, in addition to the debt issuance needs of Portugal in late summer or early fall 2012, Italy’s recent backsliding on its budget deficit, the French election, among others, are likely to keep spreads volatile in the near term. The consideration being given to direct capitalization of Spanish banks by the European Fiscal Stability Fund (EFSF) is encouraging. We have long believed that Europe needs its own form of TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program).

The Micro Picture is More Favorable Albeit Tepid

Earnings estimates for the first quarter of 2012 were revised down over the second half of 2011, and most companies are poised to beat in our opinion. Our credit and industry level cues point to a domestic economy that is on track for low single digit growth in 2012. The level and trend of commodity based railroad carloads is one example of improving economic activity (Exhibit 2) where carloads continue to trend above 2011 levels. Additionally, initial bank results have been modestly positive. Headline numbers were highlighted by strong capital markets results, but a deeper look shows modest loan growth to both companies and individuals, including strong mortgage lending results. Asset quality continued its improving trend and organic capital generation was also a positive highlight despite increased dividends and share buy-backs by most banks under coverage. 

With profits recovering and cash coffers full, companies are increasing dividends and share repurchases. While this is not welcome from a bondholder perspective, it possibly does point to a turn in the cycle and increasing management confidence in the political and economic outlook domestically and abroad. We would have more confidence if we saw companies investing in their businesses by hiring, spending more on research and development (R&D) and/or making other investments. (Exhibit 3)

Invest Cautiously to Maximize Risk Adjusted Income

Our base case is that corporate market spread volatility will be high but not exceed the level in 2011 (Exhibit 4), since investors and companies have had time to contemplate and reposition, spreads have widened especially for sectors directly exposed to the crisis, company balance sheets remain strong, liquidity has improved with companies accessing the markets (high yield, investment grade, domestic and European) this quarter, and the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield is 141 basis points lower than one year ago or 1.95%. That said, we recognize all corporate bond spreads will widen dramatically if tail risk manifests itself. Regardless, portfolios must be managed to compensate investors for expected volatility. We entered the year positioned with bonds that we believed would be less volatile due to favorable structures, technicals, or fundamentals. As shown in Exhibit 5, technicals alone are significant drivers of volatility in this more illiquid market environment, which we believe is not changing in the near-to-intermediate term.

Written by:

Elizabeth Henderson, CFA
Director of Corporate Credit

For the entire document (with exhibits) and important disclosures associated with its content, view original document (PDF)