All articles on the topic “Bonds”
Investment View | February 2025
What’s happening on the markets? In our Investment View, the experts of our Investment Division regularly provide insights of current market events and their opinion on the various asset classes.
Bella Economia: Italy’s path to pre-crisis levels and what the “Superbonus” has to do with it
The Italian economy is stagnating – it has only recently returned to pre-crisis levels. Tight budgets, an uncertain political environment and an ageing population are hindering growth. High investments are expected to achieve the turnaround. On the bond market, investors are confident that this can be achieved.
Sovereign defaults and their debt restructuring
A glance at history shows that it is not unheard of for a state to go bankrupt. How does an entire country actually go bankrupt, what are the consequences and how do you react to this in fund management? Fund manager Felix Dornaus explains this in his blog post.
Emerging markets bonds and sustainability: How do these two go together?
Lower interest rates in the USA mean that investments in emerging markets are becoming more attractive. The ERSTE RESPONSIBLE BOND EM LOCAL fund, which received the Austrian Ecolabel in August, could also benefit from this.
Interest rate cuts at the door
After the rapid and sharp interest rate increases in 2022 and 2023, the pendulum is now swinging in the opposite direction. After the European Central Bank (ECB), the US Federal Reserve will cut key interest rates for the first time this Wednesday, thus initiating a new cycle of interest rate cuts. What does all this mean for the economy and what conclusions can be drawn from it for investments?
Netflix – the movie script of a success story
Everyone knows Netflix these days. The company has developed from a DVD rental service into a globally renowned streaming service. The company’s history is also an example of the important role the high-yield market can play in corporate bonds for young and innovative companies.
Is this time different?
The risk premiums on corporate bonds are close to their lows. What are the reasons? Is a correction imminent or is everything perhaps completely different on the bond market this time?
Corporate bonds – Why emerging markets are worth a look
Fund manager Thomas Oposich explains in an interview what makes investments in emerging market bonds interesting and which sectors and companies he considers promising.
Market outlook: What investors can expect in 2024
2023 brought many surprises – including positive ones, such as the unexpectedly good performance across all asset classes. What can investors expect in the new year and which topics could come into focus? Gerald Stadlbauer, Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management, provides an outlook.
Stock markets review: Hopes for interest rate cuts fuelled significant gains in 2023
The international stock markets closed out 2023 with significant gains. Hopes of abating inflationary pressure and declining interest rates were the main market drivers in Q4, resulting in a strong year for stock exchanges.
The Rise of the Fallen Angels
Rating agencies assess the creditworthiness of companies and thus play an important role in the financial market. They were also in the spotlight at the beginning of the corona pandemic, with many companies being downgraded as a result of the crisis. In the meantime, the pandemic has been overcome and some of the so-called “Fallen Angels” are once again in a much better position with regard to their creditworthiness and rating.
Parliamentary elections in Poland on Sunday – what comes afterwards?
Tension ahead of the parliamentary election in Poland next Sunday. Will there be a decision on the direction of politics and interest rate cuts?
Conditional pause on interest rate hikes
The European Central Bank has raised the key interest rates probably for the last time in this interest rate cycle. But the rising oil price poses a risk that the ECB has only taken a pause.
Where is the German housing market heading?
Despite higher inflation and interest rates, demand for housing in Germany is expected to remain robust.
Pause on interest rate hikes?
Once again it’s all about interest rates this week. Will the ECB take a break this time and leave key interest rates unchanged? There is a lot to be said for it.
Bond investments – via yield and spread
How do I choose corporate bonds for my investment? In the current blog article, our expert Johann Griener gives an insight into the currently achievable yields of different credit rating segments. He also explains the spread that can be achieved with corporate bonds.
How high do key interest rates still climb?
Both the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve in the USA raised the key interest rate by 25 basis points last week. However, both central banks signalled that the end of the cycle is near – or may even have already been reached after the recent rate hikes.
Summer, sun & early election: Spain gets ready for a tight race
The Spanish economy is showing resilience, unlike other countries in the euro area. Now, however, the southern European country is preparing for early elections next weekend, with a tight race looming.
Interest rate policy based on the motto “higher and longer”
The global economy is proving to be increasingly robust against a number of headwinds. Due to the uncomfortably high level of inflation, the central banks are likely to stick to their tight interest rate policy for longer than expected.
Investing in the bond market – the charm of short maturities
When should one invest one’s capital in the bond market and which maturity would currently be favourable? These questions are not so easy to answer and depend, among other things, on the preferences of the respective investor. In our recent blog, expert Johann Griener gives an insight into the current market environment and clarifies the most important questions about bonds and maturity.
Fight against inflation: Monetary policy remains restrictive
Central banks remain on a restrictive course and hold out the prospect of further key interest rate hikes. Although there are some signs of a further decline in inflation, it is falling more slowly than expected. You can read where the journey could lead in the blog post.
ERSTE BOND EM CORPORATE becomes sustainable: Interview with fund manager Péter Varga
ERSTE BOND EM CORPORATE becomes part of our sustainable Integration fund family. Péter Varga discusses what this sustainable change means for him as a fund manager and what it changes in his investment process.
Interest rate decisions in focus: what will the central banks do?
This week, the markets are eagerly awaiting the upcoming interest rate decisions. The Fed in the USA will make the first move today, Wednesday. For the first time in the current cycle, no increase in the key interest rate is expected. For tomorrow’s interest rate decision by the ECB, on the other hand, the market expects a further rate hike of 25 basis points.
Inflation in Europe likely to have peaked
Inflation data in Europe recently showed a surprisingly significant slowdown. The decline in energy prices in particular had a dampening effect. Read our latest blog post to find out about the current inflation in the individual EU countries.
Meager Growth
Global growth is likely to cool significantly in the second quarter. At the same time, recession risks remain uncomfortably high, as Chief Economist Gerhard Winzer writes in his market commentary. The further course of negotiations on the US debt ceiling is also likely to cause tension on the market.
A tale of two volatilities
The volatility of bonds has increased significantly and is clearly higher than that of equities. What are the reasons for this difference in development?
“A mild economic downturn has already been priced in by the market”
With the ERSTE REAL ASSETS mixed fund, investors can invest in real assets – and have indeed been doing so for two years now. On the occasion of the fund’s two-year anniversary, Philip Schifferegger, fund manager of ERSTE REAL ASSETS, is taking a look at the current market situation. He also explains why the fund is well equipped for both positive and negative market phases.
International Monetary Fund/World Bank Group Spring Meetings 2023
The annual Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank bring together high-ranking representatives from business, the financial sector and politics. Fund manager
Tolgahan Memişoğlu reports on his impressions.
Robust economy despite recent turbulences
Despite the recent turmoil in the banking sector, both companies and the global economy are currently proving to be extremely robust. Read more about the current market environment in the commentary by Gerald Stadlbauer, Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management at Erste AM.
Best of Charts II
Inflation, coupled with restrictive central bank measures and recession worries, continue to keep the markets busy. This is also shown by a look at some important financial charts.
EU and US Looking to Latin America as new Strategic Business Partner
The EU and the USA want to focus more on Latin America as an important economic partner. Most recently, the chances of concluding the EU’s long-planned trade agreement with the Latin American Mercosur free trade zone have also increased.
Attractive yields: Why corporate bonds are worth a look
Corporate bond yields are now back at attractive levels. In his article, senior fund manager Hannes Kusstatscher explains what this means and how the situation on the bond market could develop.
How to invest in corporate bond funds
Yields on corporate bonds in both the investment grade and high-yield segments have risen significantly in recent months. This means that there are currently interesting entry levels again.
Our expert Johann Griener explains in his blogpost how to take advantage of this opportunity with a corporate bond fund.
How a bond fund “works”
Interest rates are back, which means that investing in bonds and bond funds again offers opportunities for attractive returns. Our expert Johann Griener explains how a bond fund works and what you should bear in mind when investing.
Market commentary: What will the new year 2023 bring?
In the past year, numerous trouble spots preoccupied the markets. In his market commentary, Gerald Stadlbauer, Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management, gives an outlook on what 2023 might bring.
Interest rates are back
After many years of low interest rates, the tide has turned in recent months. This is also creating some opportunities on the bond market again, as our expert Johann Griener explains in his article.
The forthcoming steepening of the term structure of interest rates: An investment case
How the yield curve of a bond looks depends on several factors. In his article, fund manager Tolgahan Memişoğlu explains what this means and why yield curves could become steeper again in the future.
Hawkish holidays from the Bank of Japan
Last week, the Japanese central bank made the last major monetary policy decision of 2022, bringing an eventful year to an end – also from a central bank perspective.
Yield and Return on Bonds
How are interest rates and future bond returns related? Why can the yield be higher than current interest rates? Our blog looks at the correlations in fixed-income investments.
Outlook: Development of the neutral real interest rate
This year brought a turning point in the monetary policy of the major central banks. The crucial question is whether this turning point is cyclical or structural. It is therefore worth taking a look at the neutral interest rate, as this captures structural macroeconomic changes.
Emerging Markets Credit Conference – a sentiment snapshot among investors
The mood among investors in the bond sector in emerging markets is mixed, as this year’s Emerging Markets Credit Conference held by US investment bank J.P. Morgan showed. Thomas Oposich, Senior Fund Manager, reports on the conference and his impressions.
An extraordinary half year
The first half of the year on the financial markets was characterized by price declines in equities and bonds, rising inflation, and the war in Ukraine. What developments does Erste Asset Management expect for the second half of the year?
Central Banks Attempt to Prevent Inflationary Spiral
Since the beginning of the year, the bond markets have been in a bear market. What are the implications for the economy? Erste Asset Management Chief Economist Gerhard Winzer analyzes three models in relation to the development of inflation and their implications.
Austria goes green
The first green bond of the Republic of Austria was issued on 24 May 2022 and is meeting with high demand. The majority of the proceeds will go towards clean and sustainable transport, e.g. the expansion of the railway network. In which other areas will the Green Bond invest?
The return of the yield was short and painful
Due to the rapid rise in yields, almost all types of bonds have suffered significant price losses since the beginning of the year. But now you have the chance to take advantage of the higher yield level. Find out the best way to do this in today’s blog.
Alternative investments defy market losses
The losses of equities, bonds and gold since the beginning of April have put the limelight on the asset class of alternative investments. What are the characteristics of such an asset? Can this slow the downturn? And how can you invest?
ECB and price stability – an oxymoron?
Is the ECB reacting too late to the rising inflation? Is the massive money supply a ticking time bomb? All eyes are on the European interest rate policy.
The End of Loose Monetary Policy
The US Federal Reserve is turning the interest rate screw hard and accelerating the exit from its ultra-expansive monetary policy. Will it get a grip on high inflation? And how will the economy cope with higher interest rates?
How far will the interest rates be rising, Mr. Zemanek?
With the first interest rate hike in five years, the US Federal Reserve has ushered in a new era. Is the period of cheap money now over? When will the European Central Bank follow suit?
Do Eastern European bonds offer opportunities?
The war in Ukraine led to losses for Russian bonds. In an interview for OUR VIEW, fund manager Anton Hauser explains why government bonds from Eastern Europe offer an alternative.