| Insights

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Insights

Investing

May 2022 Market Commentary

In a volatile month for bond markets, total returns turned positive after a difficult first four months of the year.

Investing

The Case for Active Management

May 3, 2022

When the missed opportunities and transactional costs of passive management are taken into account, we believe that professional active management offers significant advantages over passive.

ESG

Corporations Sign Net Zero Pledge, But Can They Back It Up?

April 1, 2022 - Jeffrey Glenn, Joshua Perez, Joshua Stein

Net zero pledges may be considered a credit positive, but it is also important to understand the ability of corporate bond issuers to achieve their net zero goals.

ESG

Sustainable Bond Issuance Is Growing Across Bond Market Segments

April 1, 2022 - John Bastoni, Matt Corn, Ruth Ducret, Nicholas Elfner, Will Queen

Even in a year of subdued bond issuance, managers are finding opportunities in the sustainable bond markets, thanks to investor appetite for bonds with sustainable labels.

Municipal

Tailwinds to headwinds: Navigating a shifting landscape in municipal bonds

March 25, 2022 - Benjamin Pease, David Stenhouse

Strong tailwinds of easy monetary policy, abundant fiscal stimulus, and low inflation drove the municipal bond market’s required spread for credit risk tighter over the past decade.

ESG

Through their transitions, higher education E&Fs lend to net zero trend

March 18, 2022 - Timothy Coffin

As colleges and universities announce commitments to carbon neutrality, how should we consider the connection between capital assets and financial assets?

Investing

Discussion summary: IG fixed income in uncertain times

March 16, 2022 - Peter Coffin, Ognjen Sosa

In a recent Q&A, Breckinridge President Peter Coffin and CIO Oggie Sosa discuss the role of IG fixed income strategies in investors’ overall asset-mix during uncertain times.

Investing

Breckinridge Aligns Investments, Operations with Women’s Empowerment Principles

March 4, 2022 - Dominica Ribeiro, Ognjen Sosa

As a WEP signatory, Breckinridge formally signed a CEO statement of support that demonstrates commitment to advancing gender equity and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community.

ESG

The Case for Gender Lens Investing

March 4, 2022

Gender-lens investing continues to grow based on the correlation of diversity and financial performance.

Educational

Building the Infrastructure to Support Bridges to Opportunities

February 4, 2022 - Dominica Ribeiro

In honor of Black History Month, Breckinridge CMO, Dominica Ribeiro, spoke with UNCF’s vice president, Diego Aviles about the UNCF Lighted Pathways Scholarship & Internship Program.

Municipal

2022 Municipal Bond Market Outlook

January 3, 2022 - Adam Stern

The muni bond market enters 2022 with strong credit and supportive technical conditions but investors should be alert to a number of challenges as the year progresses.

Investing

April 2022 Market Commentary

May 9, 2022

Global uncertainty over inflation, the Russia/Ukraine invasion, and COVID-induced supply chain concerns led to market volatility and losses.

Investing

March 2022 Market Commentary

April 11, 2022

As inflationary pressures persisted and the Federal Reserve responded in March, investor uncertainty and market volatility increased.

ESG

Fossil-Fuel-Free Investing: Process and Perspective

April 11, 2022 - Robert Fernandez

For a variety of reasons, corporate bond investors often wish to restrict investment in companies with fossil fuel reserves.

Corporate

Q2 2022 Corporate Bond Market Outlook

April 8, 2022 - Nicholas Elfner

Uncertainty plagued investment markets in the first quarter of 2022 and the implications for corporate IG bonds in 2022 are explored in our Corporate Bond Market Outlook.

ESG

Latest IPCC report underscores urgency of climate action for investors and businesses

April 1, 2022 - Robert Fernandez, Andrew Teras

The IPCC report released in February 2022 has the most detailed look yet at physical threats posed by global warming.

Investing

February 2022 Market Commentary

March 9, 2022

Uncertainty and volatility ratcheted higher in February on expectations for a federal funds rate increase and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Investing

January 2022 Market Commentary

February 7, 2022

During January, the Federal Reserve’s increasingly hawkish outlook prompted volatile markets for equities and bond investors.

Investing

December 2021 Market Commentary

January 13, 2022

The Fed turned hawkish in December and bond investors factored the change in tenor into investment decision.

Corporate

Q1 2022 Corporate Bond Market Outlook

January 12, 2022 - Nicholas Elfner

By the end of the fourth quarter, inflation, interest rates, and fiscal and monetary policy held implications for corporate IG bonds.

ESG

PFAS—Forever Chemicals: Implications for Municipal and Corporate Bond Market Participants

January 7, 2022 - Andrew Teras, Joshua Perez

Much like the science and health implications that surround them, municipal bond issuers and investors are still developing their perspectives on risks associated with PFAS.

ESG

Updated Global ESG Reporting Standards Move Toward More Consistency

January 3, 2022 - Robert Fernandez

Issuers of securities, investors, consumers, and regulators have expressed the need for more consistent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting rules.

ESG

COP26 Marks Progress and Highlights More Work Ahead on Climate Change

January 3, 2022 - Ognjen Sosa

While world leaders struggled to agree on coordinated global efforts to control and measure the effects of climate change, actions were agreed to by almost 200 countries that attested to continued progress.

ESG

Regulatory and Legislative Reporting Initiatives Target Better ESG Disclosure

January 3, 2022 - Robert Fernandez, Nicholas Elfner, Abigail Ingalls, Joshua Perez, Brian Garcia, Joshua Stein, Evan Lassow

Regulations related to enhanced ESG disclosure are being discussed and examined in the U.S. as well as the European Union.

Investing

November 2021 Market Commentary

December 8, 2021

Bonds rallied on market uncertainty as concerns over Omicron and inflation increased.