Recent reports indicate that investors on Wall Street and Main Street alike have developed an unwavering love for bonds. However, this excessive adoration could spell trouble. History has shown that when the bond market becomes overly popular, it often precedes a decline rather than an upward trend.
A survey conducted by BofA Securities revealed that global fund managers significantly increased their exposure to the bond market last month, pushing it close to the peak levels observed in May. On average, their allocation to bonds now exceeds two standard deviations from the average since 2000—a clear indication of their excessive overweighting of bonds.
It’s worth noting that the last time money managers displayed such bullishness towards bonds was during the global financial crisis in 2008-2009. Ironically, that period turned out to be an opportune time to sell bonds rather than buy them. This year’s high level of optimism towards bonds marks the highest since March 2009.
Interestingly, the enthusiasm within Wall Street has also spread to Main Street. Regular investors have been pouring billions into bond funds on a weekly basis, according to data from the mutual fund industry. In total, investors have purchased $170 billion worth of bond funds this year, a significant recovery from the $345 billion withdrawn during last year’s market downturn.
Adding to these developments, escalating concerns related to China have further driven up bond prices. U.S. Treasury bonds are seen as safe havens and tend to rise during times of crisis or increased risk perception. Presently, the 10-year Treasury Note yields 4.2%, while the five-year yield stands at 4.3%.
The widespread bullishness towards bonds doesn’t come as a surprise given recent market sentiments. Many within Wall Street are now convinced that inflation has been subdued and interest rates are either at or near their peak. In fact, even renowned economists like those at CME’s FedWatch monitor predict a 75% chance of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by next May.
The BofA survey also unveiled an overwhelming consensus among money managers: they believe inflation will continue to decline and are more confident about future interest rate cuts than they have been since the financial crisis in late 2008. These sentiments highlight the prevailing confidence in the bond market.
In summary, while the bond market currently enjoys widespread popularity, it’s important to exercise caution. The parallels with past instances of excessive optimism raise concerns about the market’s potential downward trajectory. As investors pour money into bond funds, analysts anxiously await to see if history will repeat itself once again.
The Economy and the Bond Market
Despite complaints from money managers about government intervention in the economy, data from the Congressional Budget Office reveals that the U.S. government is running significant deficits, which are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The Federal Reserve does not anticipate inflation reaching its target rate of 2% until 2025.
The bond market provides some insight into inflation expectations. A comparison between the interest rates on regular 10-year Treasury bonds and inflation-protected 10-year Treasury bonds indicates that the bond market predicts an average inflation rate of 2.4% over the next decade. Those who believe that inflation may be higher would benefit from owning inflation-protected bonds, known as TIPS, instead of regular Treasurys.
Shifts in Fund Manager Sentiment
In a notable development, fund managers now view two stock market sectors less favorably than before. These sectors have typically attracted retired investors due to their history of generating steady and high dividends: real estate investment trusts (REITs) and utilities.
Regarding REITs, money managers’ sentiment has turned bearish to the point where BofA Securities refers to it as “capitulation.” This sentiment level matches those observed during the significant real estate collapse of 2008-2009, which occurred during the Great Depression. However, it is important to note that the sectors most at risk, namely offices and retail, account for only a combined total of 18% in the REIT indexes.
In the case of utilities, fund managers’ views are more varied. Nonetheless, BofA Securities reports that this sector still faces significant underweighting among global money managers.
Potential Opportunities for Investors
Based on historical trends, this shifting sentiment could present positive opportunities for investors in REITs and utilities. The Vanguard REIT ETF VNQ is projected to yield 3.9% over the next 12 months, while the Vanguard Utilities ETF VPU offers a yield of 3.5%. Notably, unlike Treasury bonds with fixed interest payments, these sectors are expected to see increasing dividends over time.
