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Bonds overview
Government bonds - Key points
¢ Government bond yields of major developed markets started to rise from their historical lows ahead of
Greek elections, in particular with hopes of more Eurozone integration (e.g. Eurobonds or a European
bank deposit guarantee). The new Greek government has at least eased concerns of an imminent and
disorderly Greek exit helping yields in their short term rise. However, further central bank easing,
including the extension of Operation Twist (OT) until end of 2012 by the Fed limited the further upside
potential in yields over the coming months.
° Our expectations for bond yields over the coming 6 months remain a marginal rise. Despite recent
setbacks in global growth, the world economy remains in expansion mode. However, OT will keep longer
yields low for longer. Also short-term downside risks to bond yields cannot be excluded; Spain has
returned to the spotlight, and challenges in Italy's adjustment programs remain. Given current division
among European leaders, the mutualization of debt is unlikely to be resolved soon.
¢ On a relative basis, we prefer German and Swiss bonds, over those in the US and UK, where bond yields
could rise faster due to a sounder economic outlook. In particularly in the US, the cyclical recovery looks
comparatively more robust.
¢ Declining growth momentum, extension of Operation Twist by the Fed and a rising likelihood of a rate
cut by the ECB, are likely to keep yields on extraordinary low levels, for the time being. Thus we suggest a
neutral duration position at this stage.
Corporate and emerging market bonds - Key points
¢ We maintain our preference for corporate credit (both investment grade and high yield) as well as
emerging market bonds, keeping overweight positions in all three segments.
¢ Investment grade (IG) corporate bonds showed remarkable resilience in the latest downturn. The asset
class is likely to outperform government bonds in the coming six months, with higher liquidity and lower
volatility than HY bonds. We see the highest return potential in the lower-rated IG segment (BBB and A).
e US corporate bonds of lower credit quality (high yield, HY) remain fundamentally supported by solid
balance sheets and a benign US growth outlook. Given the low risk of default losses, valuations are
attractive at an effective yield of 7.5%. For US HY, we expect high single-digit total returns in the next six
months. US senior loans are an attractive alternative to traditional fixed income assets.
e Emerging market bonds should continue to benefit from better fundamentals than those of developed
markets over the medium term. Valuations remain attractive, and the potential for spreads to trend lower
should more than offset the gradual increase in US Treasury yields in the quarters ahead. We continue to
prefer increasing exposure to corporate bonds while keeping existing investments in sovereign bonds.
36 UBS
Preferences (6 months)
short duration neutral
USD
EUR (DE)
GBP
JPY
CHF
CAD
AUD
Bnew old
underweight neutral
Bonds total
long duration
overweight
Government
bonds
Investment
grade
corporate
bonds
High yield
bonds
Emerging
market
bonds
Bnew
Source: UBS CIO, as of June 19% 2012
For further information please contact CIO's asset class specialist Achim Peijan, achim.peijan@ubs.com and CIO's asset class specialist Daniela Steinbrink Mattei,
old
23
daniela.steinbrinkmattei@ubs.com
Please see important disclaimer and disclosures at the end of the document.
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