BlackRock is a leader in active fixed income investing

00;00;12;08 - 00;00;42;02

Russell Brownback

Probably the most exciting opportunity set I've seen in 35 years of being a fixed income investor. In fact, we're calling it the golden age of fixed income, because across virtually every asset class that exists today, you get this combination of incredibly attractive all in yields, but very low implied volatility. And when you put that together, you can create an incredible sharp ratio portfolio that's high quality and diversified.

00;00;42;05 - 00;01;11;05

Russell Brownback

We are in a different regime than anything that existed prior to the pandemic. It's a different macro regime as well as a different investment regime. So from a macro perspective, we have much faster nominal growth today. And it's driven by a handful of what we would call durable influences that don't appear to be interest rate sensitive. At the same time, you've got higher inflation decently above the Fed's target, driven by sticky core services inflation that also don't appear to be interest rate sensitive.

00;01;11;08 - 00;01;35;16

Russell Brownback

And that has four, really demonstrable impacts in markets today. One is nominal rates are higher than we are accustomed to all across the curve. Two yield curves are flatter. Three there's more volatility in these risk free rate markets. And four, there's a lot more dispersion. But again all of these things are opportunities. So the way we're tackling these is from a duration perspective.

00;01;35;22 - 00;01;59;11

Russell Brownback

We have extended duration to the front to the belly of the curve while avoiding those longer tenors. There's not enough term premium out the curve. And then in terms of asset allocation we are focused on corporate credit securitized assets, taking advantage of yields that are higher than they've been really quite frankly, in a generation.

00;01;59;14 - 00;02;21;11

Russell Brownback

The traditional use cases for fixed income are still applicable today. That being income capital preservation, and equity diversification, though, the regime is different. All of those use cases still very much are pertinent for fixed income investors. As far as, the income piece goes. Today, yields are so much higher than they've been at any time over the last couple of decades.

00;02;21;18 - 00;02;44;21

Russell Brownback

You can build a portfolio today in a diversified way across corporate credit, across securitized assets, and increasingly taking advantage of bespoke opportunities in the private credit markets. As it pertains to capital preservation. When you think about those, all in yields, and you think about the degree to which there is a cushion that we call carry break even.

00;02;44;23 - 00;03;09;15

Russell Brownback

And so in this more volatile environment, when you get these short term interest rate shocks that do create short term negative price return, your carry is so powerful. As it pertains to equity diversification. You think about the degree to which those attractive all in yields today are comprised of the risk free rate.

00;03;09;21 - 00;03;25;22

Russell Brownback

In the event of some adverse shock. There are hundreds of basis points for those expressions to rally in ways that would offset widening credit spreads, and that could help offset the kind of negative price action you would have in that adverse shock scenario in your equity portfolio.

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Stock and bond values fluctuate in price so the value of your investment can go down depending upon market conditions. The two main risks related to fixed income investing are interest rate risk and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in the market value of bonds. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the bond will not be able to make principal and interest payments. The principal on mortgage- or asset-backed securities may be prepaid at any time, which will reduce the yield and market value of these securities. Obligations of US Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the US Government. Investments in non-investment-grade debt securities (“high-yield bonds” or “junk bonds”) may be subject to greater market fluctuations and risk of default or loss of income and principal than securities in higher rating categories. Income from municipal bonds may be subject to state and local taxes and at times the alternative minimum tax. International investing involves risks related to foreign currency, limited liquidity, less government regulation, and the possibility of substantial volatility due to adverse political, economic or other developments. These risks are often heightened for investments in emerging / developing markets or smaller capital markets.

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