Fixed Income

Investment Grade

Inception Date: 1/1/1996

Benchmark: Lehman US Credit Index

John Hawley, CFA

Senior Investment Grade Portfolio Manager
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Brian Machan, CFA

Senior Investment Grade Portfolio Manager
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Josh Lohmeier, CFA

Investment Grade Portfolio Manager
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Matt Trosper, CFA

Portfolio Manager Investment Grade, Derivatives
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Description:

Aviva Investors Investment Grade Fixed Income strategy consists of investments in US dollar denominated corporate bonds issued by domestic and global companies. Investments in investment grade debt offer greater income generation potential than treasuries due to the moderate level of risk incurred and also provide potential excess returns. Through careful portfolio construction, the strategy’s management team aims to provide income generation as well as capital appreciation over treasuries, with a higher return per unit of risk.

Commentary

The Barclays U. S. Credit Index outperformed duration-neutral Treasuries for the quarter by 138 basis points. While we expect continued positive credit returns in 2011, they will be muted compared to those of the last two years. Retail investors will return to equities, but we expect continued fixed income demand from institutional investors, with strong investment grade demand coming from pension plans, life insurance companies and Asia. Spreads will be subject to periods of volatility due to continued concern over European sovereign debt, financial reforms and event risk.

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Investment Process

Aviva Investors seeks to customize investment solutions to our client’s objectives. Those objectives are the foundation for our five-phase investment process.

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Research Framework

At Aviva Investors, we use the FTV framework as the cornerstone of our investment process: Fundamentals, Technicals and Valuations.

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