THE recent turmoil in financial markets has not been confined to equities.
Bonds have been the worst performing asset class for two years running, returning a dismal 4,2 per cent in 2007. Does this mean the tide is ready to turn, that it can’t get any worse and that after two really bad years investors should pile back into bonds again? Many commentators are calling this the year for bonds, but it’s not quite that simple.Markets don’t work according to calendar months, and in our view there are still far more headwinds than tail winds facing the domestic bond market.The factors driving the poor performance of bonds relative to cash have not yet dissipated.For too long, risk internationally had been mispriced; our relatively higher rates meant that we benefited from the carry trade, which pulled SA bond yields down to unsustainably low levels.Suddenly, the world worked out that risk is after all a four letter word, risk premiums spiked and with that, South Africa – in line with other emerging markets – sold off.In addition, we are faced with rising inflation in SA, and unlike the previous cycle, it is not only being driven by the pass-through effect of a weakening rand.This time around, we are faced with a barrage of higher food prices, higher fuel prices, higher municipal rates and Eskom’s 14-20 per cent + tariff increases (for the next three years!).What’s worse, they’re all feeding through at the same time.And where we had the counter-effect of the deflation in imported clothing helping in the past, we are now faced with the treat of some inflation out of China.All of this just means that inflation is going to be sticky for a lot longer.Inflation is likely to peak over the next three to four months, but instead of coming down in a straight line, it is going to struggle to get below six per cent.This is going to make the Reserve Bank Governor’s job very difficult, particularly if faced with the ‘worst case scenario’ risk of a blow-off in the Rand.Meanwhile, the economy is clearly showing signs of a slowdown – not least of which the roughly 0,5 per cent that Eskom’s problems are estimated to shave off GDP growth.Retail sales, car sales, manufacturing production and credit growth have all slowed down dramatically; the latter is now below 20 per cent.But getting back to the bond market: is it offering value? The Benchmark R157 is trading at around 8,70 per cent, yet cash gives you 11,75 per cent, so there is huge negative carry in the bond market.Over the next three to six months we expect bonds to continue underperforming cash.Also, bear in mind that Eskom’s funding requirements will result in a lot of bonds coming to market.In addition, the Minister of Finance will have to do something to help Eskom, whether it is recapitalising Eskom, guaranteeing their bonds, or issuing on their behalf, which once again means more bonds coming to market.Typically, more bonds coming to the market means bond yields rise.All this will have to be digested in the near future.Our advice is to wait for the sell-off, then buy.When bond yields are giving you nine per cent to 9,5 per cent, you can justify a greater exposure to the asset class.Our flagship Investec Opportunity Income Fund is very conservatively positioned.Duration is close to that of an income fund at about 2 – 2Œ years.In addition, we are very underweight the long end of the curve, as that is the area where – thanks to Eskom – the funding pressure has to come.This article was contributed by Malcolm Charles, portfolio manager, Investec Asset ManagementDoes this mean the tide is ready to turn, that it can’t get any worse and that after two really bad years investors should pile back into bonds again? Many commentators are calling this the year for bonds, but it’s not quite that simple.Markets don’t work according to calendar months, and in our view there are still far more headwinds than tail winds facing the domestic bond market.The factors driving the poor performance of bonds relative to cash have not yet dissipated.For too long, risk internationally had been mispriced; our relatively higher rates meant that we benefited from the carry trade, which pulled SA bond yields down to unsustainably low levels.Suddenly, the world worked out that risk is after all a four letter word, risk premiums spiked and with that, South Africa – in line with other emerging markets – sold off.In addition, we are faced with rising inflation in SA, and unlike the previous cycle, it is not only being driven by the pass-through effect of a weakening rand.This time around, we are faced with a barrage of higher food prices, higher fuel prices, higher municipal rates and Eskom’s 14-20 per cent + tariff increases (for the next three years!).What’s worse, they’re all feeding through at the same time.And where we had the counter-effect of the deflation in imported clothing helping in the past, we are now faced with the treat of some inflation out of China.All of this just means that inflation is going to be sticky for a lot longer.Inflation is likely to peak over the next three to four months, but instead of coming down in a straight line, it is going to struggle to get below six per cent.This is going to make the Reserve Bank Governor’s job very difficult, particularly if faced with the ‘worst case scenario’ risk of a blow-off in the Rand.Meanwhile, the economy is clearly showing signs of a slowdown – not least of which the roughly 0,5 per cent that Eskom’s problems are estimated to shave off GDP growth.Retail sales, car sales, manufacturing production and credit growth have all slowed down dramatically; the latter is now below 20 per cent.But getting back to the bond market: is it offering value? The Benchmark R157 is trading at around 8,70 per cent, yet cash gives you 11,75 per cent, so there is huge negative carry in the bond market.Over the next three to six months we expect bonds to continue underperforming cash.Also, bear in mind that Eskom’s funding requirements will result in a lot of bonds coming to market.In addition, the Minister of Finance will have to do something to help Eskom, whether it is recapitalising Eskom, guaranteeing their bonds, or issuing on their behalf, which once again means more bonds coming to market.Typically, more bonds coming to the market means bond yields rise.All this will have to be digested in the near future.Our advice is to wait for the sell-off, then buy.When bond yields are giving you nine per cent to 9,5 per cent, you can justify a greater exposure to the asset class.Our flagship Investec Opportunity Income Fund is very conservatively positioned.Duration is close to that of an income fund at about 2 – 2Œ years.In addition, we are very underweight the long end of the curve, as that is the area where – thanks to Eskom – the funding pressure has to come. This article was contributed by Malcolm Charles, portfolio manager, Investec Asset Management
