Income beyond fixed income
- The struggle to find income is not new, but is currently complicated by expectations of rising government bond yields and heightened inflation, creating risks for holders of core government bonds or longer duration assets.
- The strengthening economic recovery has bolstered the earnings outlook. This should lead to a recovery in dividends as companies return capital through higher dividend payouts.
-
For
those
looking for potentially more stable income streams with a lower correlation to
equities, alternatives, such as real estate and infrastructure, present
predictable inflation-linked income options.
Fixed income to low income
Years of financial repression by central banks as well as longer-term secular forces have created a downdraft of income in the traditionally held parts of the fixed income market.
There are still sources of income within the fixed income market, such as U.S. HY bonds or EM debt, or the relatively newer China government bonds. But investors must be more selective in their allocations given market and idiosyncratic risks to these assets.
Divide(n)d we stand
The popularity of growth stocks, traditionally lower dividend payers, has reduced the dividend component of total shareholder return.
In the U.S., for example, 22% of the 10.2% average total return since 2002 came from dividends. In the last five years, this number has fallen to 14% given the boom in U.S. growth stocks. However, the change has not been as swift in Asian markets as dividends have still accounted for 24% of total returns in the last five years (28% since 2002).
This trend may be starting to turn as elevated valuations in growth sectors greatly diminish return prospects and investors rotate towards value and higher dividend payers.
In
the
depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, dividend forecasts collapsed alongside
earnings expectations. Regulatory changes also prevented some companies from
paying or increasing dividends during the period. However, a V-shaped recovery
in many economies has led to a sharp increase in dividend forecasts, which are
noticeably stronger in Asian markets.
Alternative income
Looking beyond bonds for income means considering non-traditional assets. Alternative assets present their own challenges but offer similar characteristics for income and portfolio diversification.
In recent years, investors have been increasing their allocations to alternatives as such assets offer the prospect of increased returns, steady income and, in some cases, bond-like diversification.
Real assets, such as infrastructure, real estate and transport, are assets that have steady cash flows that can translate to higher income. The contractual nature of these cash flows, often with high-quality counterparties, leads to more predictable income streams and lower return volatility.
These assets may also be an inflation hedge as the cash flows are indexed to rising inflation rather than having to absorb it.
Investment implications
Some segments of the bond market can still be tapped to provide income in portfolios, such as HY bonds and EM debt. However, investors will increasingly have to look beyond the bond market for income.
The strength in earnings growth means companies can reward shareholders with higher dividends as well as reinvest for growth. Higher-yielding equity markets are trading at elevated valuations, and this is an option that should be considered.
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Kerry Craig, Executive Director, is a Global Market Strategist. Based in Melbourne, Kerry is responsible for communicating the latest market and economic views from our Global Market Insights Strategy Team.
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Kerry Craig, Executive Director, is a Global Market Strategist. Based in Melbourne, Kerry is responsible for communicating the latest market and economic views from our Global Market Insights Strategy Team.
Expertise
Kerry Craig, Executive Director, is a Global Market Strategist. Based in Melbourne, Kerry is responsible for communicating the latest market and economic views from our Global Market Insights Strategy Team.
Expertise
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