Fund managers investing in fixed interest assets paying higher levels of interest remain confident about future returns.
The latest review of the high yield sector by the credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s said over the past 12 month returns in the global high yield sector had outperformed investments in investment grade assets (higher quality debt) and emerging market debt.
Fund analyst James Mashiter said: “Against a backdrop of improving fundamentals and stable market technicals, and based on the strong assumption that a double-dip recession is avoided, most high yield managers expect the asset class to deliver an 8-12% total return over the next 12 months.”
The UK Investment Management Association defines high yield funds as those investing at least 80 per cent of their assets in sterling denominated (or hedged back to sterling) fixed interest securities and at least 50 per cent in institutions with a credit rating below BBB-.
Standard & Poor’s rates 25 high yield funds, including Aviva Investors Global High Yield Bond Fund, Standard Life Investment Fund Higher Income Fund, Threadneedle High Yield Bond Fund and Invesco Perpetual’s Monthly Income Plus Fund.
Looking at past performance of funds in this area, Mashiter said high yield funds had performed well in the 12 months to 31 July, but were lagging behind the returns in emerging market debt in the year to date.
© Fair Investment Company Ltd