Today on the show, we welcome Portfolio Manager Michael Plage to share his perspectives on today’s fixed income markets, and provide an update on Fidelity Multi-Sector Bond Fund.

Michael gives us a quick fixed income overview, explaining that the diversification between stocks and bonds has been surprisingly positive, but likely will not last due to the Fed’s actions. Negative correlation between stocks and bonds can be detected through events like the regional bank crisis or geopolitical tensions, but this trend is believed to be advantageous in a few ways. It benefits bond portfolios during shocks to the equity market, and will be helpful to the bond market and holders of bonds within diversified portfolios. 

Michael believes mortgage-backed securities and corporate bonds are essential to the portfolio strategy, stating that agency mortgages constitute around 30% of the US investment-grade bond market. Currently multi-sector bonds are not particularly favoured due to tight trading and negative convexity, although certain areas within asset-backed securities like aircraft securitization have appeal. 

Recorded on February 9th, 2024.

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