Our Fixed Income Top Picks
Related content
After a hot fall, a spring tornado could wreak havoc in France
Barely half a year after this year’s French budget was passed, the wrangling over the 2027 budget is about to begin, but that’s not all, because France will also hold a presidential election next spring. During the first public presidential debate, some of the radical candidates put forward ideas that were, at times, unconventional. Although the presidential election in late April still seems far off, based on the latest polls, if no candidate secures enough votes and a runoff is held, it cannot be ruled out that two radical presidential candidates will face off against each other. Market participants may have begun to price in this growing uncertainty, as the yield spread between French and German 10-year government bonds has started to widen again in recent weeks. The period ahead promises to be full of twists and turns, so it will be worth keeping a close eye on developments in French domestic politics.
Commodities - Technical Analysis
Gold and silver prices have retested their uptrend lines, so the long-term trend may continue. Oil prices have broken out of a contracting pattern, which may signal the start of another upward wave. Natural gas prices have also begun to rise, signaling a buy. In the case of copper, the main uptrend remains in effect, and there are currently no signs indicating a change in the trend’s structure. Following significant gains, wheat and corn have become heavily overbought, increasing the likelihood of a correction.
Developments over the past two weeks have demonstrated that geopolitical and inflation risks have not disappeared. Nevertheless, yields in both the euro area and the United States are currently within what we consider to be reasonable ranges. Our latest selection features bonds that may offer attractive risk-adjusted return potential as part of a suitably diversified portfolio.
Until the first week of July, oil prices had normalised significantly, materially easing inflationary pressures and potentially increasing the appeal of longer-duration bonds. Yields in both the United States and the euro area are currently within what we consider to be reasonable ranges. However, recent developments in the Middle East suggest that the US–Iran ceasefire remains rather fragile, potentially leading to renewed volatility in both oil prices and bond yields. Nevertheless, corporate bond yields have returned to near-historical lows.
Euro-Denominated Corporate Bonds
The conflict involving Iran caused only a temporary spike in corporate bond yields. By the summer, yields had returned to near-historical lows as investor risk appetite recovered. Developments over the past two weeks have yet to result in any material change in this picture. Euro-denominated high-yield (HY) bonds continue to offer only a minimal yield premium over investment-grade securities. The additional credit risk should therefore be carefully assessed when selecting individual bonds.
Dollar-Denominated Corporate Bonds
Our selection of US dollar-denominated bonds includes several regional corporate issuers. Two OTP bonds are featured: subordinated instruments maturing in 2033 and 2035. The list also includes bonds issued by two Turkish companies, as well as a Telekom Srbija bond. Among US issuers, our current selection features one bond each from Amazon and United Airlines.
Get more out of your investments!
Global Markets Services
OTP Global Markets offers a broad range of services in the field of local and international money and capital markets.
Read morePrivate Banking Services
Personal care and expertise with OTP Private Banking, along with the knowledge, security, and innovations of a multinational banking group.
Read more