IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: FOR NON-US PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS ONLY
This site is intended only for non-US professional investors or US-based fiduciaries representing non-US investors eligible to invest in Aegon Asset Management’s (the “Company”) UCITS funds. This site, and the funds described herein, are not suitable for individual investors.
The following information regarding the Company’s funds is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer for shares, products or services and should not be interpreted as an offer to sell, an invitation to acquire an investment, or a solicitation of an offer to buy for any persons who are prohibited from receiving such information under their domiciled local laws.
Aegon Asset Management Investment Company (Ireland) Plc is structured as an umbrella type open-ended investment company with variable capital consisting of a number of different sub-funds (“Funds”) and is authorized in Ireland pursuant to European Communities (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) UCITS Regulations and the Central Bank UCITS Regulations (“UCITS Regulations"). Aegon Asset Management Europe ICAV is structured as an umbrella type open-ended investment ICAV with variable capital consisting of Funds and is authorized in Ireland as a UCITS pursuant to the UCITS Regulations.
These Funds are registered in Ireland and are available only to residents of those jurisdictions where allowed by law. Investors that do not meet these requirements will be denied access by the Company.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Austria.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Belgium.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Denmark.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Finland.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in France.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
Attention aux fraudeurs se faisant passer pour Aegon Asset Management, d’autres institutions financières et organismes de régulation: Nous avons reçu plusieurs signalements de fraudeurs se faisant passer pour Aegon AM et d’autres entreprises en créant de faux sites web, de fausses publicités et de fausses adresses mail. Pour en savoir plus sur la manière de vous protéger contre ces escroqueries et comment signaler un comportement suspect,veuillez lire ce qui suit.
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Germany.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Jersey.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Ireland.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Italy.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Luxembourg.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Malta.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Netherlands.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are a retail investor we recommend that you take qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions. You can obtain the latest prospectus, accounts, Key Investor Information and fund prices at www.aegon.nl.
Risk Warning Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Norway.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Portgual.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Spain.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Sweden.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This Website and all information contained herein is intended for exclusive use of qualified investors as defined in the Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes of 23 June 2006 (the “CISA”) and in its implementing ordinance, which have their residence or registered office in Switzerland (the “Qualified Investors”), excluding opt up Qualified investors.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are not a Qualified Investor or are an opt up Qualified Investor under CISA with residence or registered office in Switzerland, we recommend you consult a financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
For investors in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Uruguay:
This material does not constitute an offer of products or securities in any country listed above or in any jurisdiction within Latin America and should not be construed as such. Unless otherwise indicated, no regulator or government authority has reviewed the content or the merits of any products and services referenced or implied herein. This material is being made available only to the extent it is in accordance with the restrictions and/or limitations implemented by any applicable laws and regulations. Information is directed at and intended only for institutional investors and their advisers for informational purposes and may not be reproduced in any form. Before acting on any information provided herein, prospective investors should inform themselves of, and observe, all applicable laws, rules and regulations of any relevant jurisdictions and obtain independent advice if required.
If your country is not listed above, please contact us.
On the heels of a turbulent 2022, the high yield market is showing signs of bouncing back in early 2023. Demand returned to the asset class as moderating inflation and positive economic data temporarily eased recession fears. While positive news has provided tailwinds for the high yield market, investors continue to grapple with one key question—is this rally sustainable in 2023?
In our view, the three key tailwinds and headwinds that will shape the high yield market in the months ahead include:
Key tailwinds
High yields, attractive long-term return potential: After years of low rates, high yield is now living up to its name. With yields running around 7% to 8%, high yield securities currently provide attractive opportunities to generate income and above-average long-term total return potential compared to other fixed income assest classes. Historically these entry points have provided double-digit returns over the subsequent one, three and five-year periods.1
Solid fundamentals, muted defaults: High yield companies are entering 2023 with relatively healthy balance sheets, historically low leverage and few near-term maturity concerns. Although fundamental improvement has likely peaked, this solid fundamental starting point should help most high yield companies weather a slowdown and help limit distress and defaults compared to prior downturns.
Supportive market technicals: After significant outflows from high yield funds last year, we expect demand to return to the asset class as investors rebalance their portfolios and allocate to higher-yielding fixed income investments. As we’ve seen so far this year, this technical can result in swift spread tightening. We expect most bouts of spread widening to be met with a strong risk appetite.
1All investments contain risk and may lose value. Indices do not reflect the performance of an actual investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index, which also does not take into account trading commissions and costs.
Key headwinds
Monetary policy tightening:Despite moderating inflation, we don’t expect central banks to pivot quickly from tightening to easing policies. While we think rate hikes will slow as inflation moderates, it seems that the market overestimated the likelihood of a 2023 pivot and we believe elevated rates will persist. While rising rates continue to create headwinds, short-duration high yield bonds can help dampen the effects of rising rates and help mitigate interest rate risk relative to longer-duration fixed income securities.
Slowing economic conditions: We anticipate a shallow recessionary environment, as central banks raise rates to combat inflation. That said, there is still a possibility of a soft landing if inflation can moderate quickly, but the path is not easy. Despite the looming recession risk, we believe most high yield companies are well-positioned to weather a downturn given the solid fundamental starting point.
Potential spread widening:Although current yields are attractive, spreads are not currently reflective of recessionary levels and could be biased toward widening in the short term given the macro uncertainty and economic slowdown. Heading into this year, spread expectations generally ranged from 400 to 600 basis points absent an imminent recession. With high yield now at the tighter end of that range, we believe the market could be prone to bouts of widening. However, spread widening could be more contained than in prior downturns given the higher-quality composition of the market. In addition, in light of the amount of cash sitting on the sidelines and the potential resurgence in high yield demand, it is possible we may see a rapid snapback as investors seek to capitalize on wider spread levels.
Overall, challenging economic conditions are setting the stage for an interesting year ahead. Despite the positive momentum, we expect elevated volatility and bearish sentiment to resurface in 2023. After all, markets do not follow a straight line. That said, we believe tailwinds will eventually trump headwinds during 2023. As illustrated below, historically, negative return years have been followed by strong positive snapbacks (Exhibit 1). Additionally, the high yield index has generated positive returns in 76% of the years from 1990 to 2022, with an average annualized return of 8.55%.1
Although caution is warranted and we expect a bumpy ride ahead, we believe the high yield market will provide attractive opportunities to generate solid coupon-like returns in 2023.
Exhibit 1: Annual high yield index returns1
Source: Based on the Bloomberg US Corporate High Yield Index. Includes annual returns from 1990-2022 and year-to-date returns for 2023 through January 31. 1All investments contain risk and may lose value. Indices do not reflect the performance of an actual investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index, which also does not take into account trading commissions and costs.
Unless otherwise noted, the information in this document has been derived from sources believed to be accurate at the time of publication.
This material is provided by Aegon Asset Management (Aegon AM) as general information and is intended exclusively for institutional, qualified, and wholesale investors, as well as professional clients (as defined by local laws and regulation) and other Aegon AM stakeholders.
This document is for informational purposes only in connection with the marketing and advertising of products and services, and is not investment research, advice or a recommendation. It shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation to buy any investment nor shall any offer of products or services be made to any person in any jurisdiction where unlawful or unauthorized. Any opinions, estimates, or forecasts expressed are the current views of the author(s) at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. The research taken into account in this document may or may not have been used for or be consistent with all Aegon AM investment strategies. References to securities, asset classes and financial markets are included for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon to assist or inform the making of any investment decisions. It has not been prepared in accordance with any legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and may have been acted upon by Aegon AM and Aegon AM staff for their own purposes.
The information contained in this material does not take into account any investor's investment objectives, particular needs, or financial situation. It should not be considered a comprehensive statement on any matter and should not be relied upon as such. Nothing in this material constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate to any particular investor. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the recipient. Investors should consult their investment professional prior to making an investment decision. Aegon AM is under no obligation, expressed or implied, to update the information contained herein. Neither Aegon AM nor any of its affiliated entities are undertaking to provide impartial investment advice or give advice in a fiduciary capacity for purposes of any applicable US federal or state law or regulation. By receiving this communication, you agree with the intended purpose described above.
Past performance is not a guide to future performance. All investments contain risk and may lose value. This document contains "forward-looking statements" which are based on Aegon AM's beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events, based on information currently available. These statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Consequently, such statements cannot be guarantees of future performance, and actual outcomes and returns may differ materially from statements set forth herein.
Investments in high yield bonds may be subject to greater volatility than fixed income alternatives, including loss of principal and interest, as a result of the higher likelihood of default. The value of these securities may also decline when interest rates increase.
The following Aegon affiliates are collectively referred to herein as Aegon Asset Management: Aegon USA Investment Management, LLC (Aegon AM US), Aegon USA Realty Advisors, LLC (Aegon RA), Aegon Asset Management UK plc (Aegon AM UK), and Aegon Investment Management B.V. (Aegon AM NL). Each of these Aegon Asset Management entities is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aegon N.V. In addition, Aegon Private Fund Management (Shanghai) Co, Ltd., a partially owned affiliate, may also conduct certain business activities under the Aegon Asset Management brand.
Aegon AM UK is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 144267) and is additionally a registered investment adviser with the United States (US) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Aegon AM US and Aegon RA are both US SEC registered investment advisers. Aegon AM NL is registered with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets as a licensed fund management company and on the basis of its fund management license is also authorized to provide individual portfolio management and advisory services in certain jurisdictions. Aegon AM NL has also entered into a participating affiliate arrangement with Aegon AM US. Aegon Private Fund Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltdis regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and the Asset Management Association of China (AMAC) for Qualified Investors only.
Mark Benbow, portfolio manager, is a member of the global leveraged finance team. He specialises in high yield bonds and co-manages our global high yield strategies.