Rethinking the role of bonds
Understandably impacted by the coronavirus, investors sought safety throughout much of 2020 in fixed income, with bond yields falling to historic lows. As we entered 2021, bond yields rose, and prices fell as investors’ confidence increased on optimism that the global rollout of highly effective vaccines would lead to a relaxation of government restrictions and a sharp recovery in economies. More recently, inflationary pressures have also not helped, with inflation data in the UK, US and Europe rising above central bank targets, further pushing bond yields higher. The debate over whether current high inflation will prove transitory – due to supply bottlenecks caused by the pandemic – won’t be resolved for some time, which means the current outlook for bonds is particularly uncertain. With the asset class providing stable returns historically, one can begin to question the role it plays for equity/bond portfolios going forward.
Henderson High Income Trust, part of the Janus Henderson investment trust range, is one such trust that invests in both equities and fixed income securities to deliver a combination of high income and the potential for capital growth. The bond portfolio has always been a unique feature of the Trust; it dampens the overall volatility of the NAV and offers a predictable revenue stream. While portfolio manager, David Smith, has reduced the allocation to bonds over the last 18 months, recognising the strong performance they have delivered, the uncertain outlook given inflationary pressures, and the limited potential for further capital appreciation – he still believes there is a place for bonds in the Trust.
Bonds provide a diversified source of income for the Trust, something that proved incredibly valuable in 2020, given the significant dividend suspensions and cuts witnessed in the UK equity market. The bond portfolio maintained its level of revenue generated for the Trust and there were no defaults. In addition, bonds also help dampen the overall volatility of the Trust, as they are relatively more resilient than equities at times of economic stress. Once again this proved valuable last year, with the fixed income portfolio returning 7.7% against the FTSE All-Share decline of 9.8% on a total return basis.1Â Finally, the bond portfolio, funded by the Trust’s borrowings, helps to boost the headline dividend yield of Henderson High Income. This aids the portfolio construction of the equity portfolio, meaning David does not have to chase the highest yielding areas of the market where dividends have historically proven to be unsustainable. With this structure, the equity portfolio can focus more on higher-quality companies that offer the potential for long-term capital growth and sustainable dividends that can grow.
Two holdings that bring this strategy sharply into focus are Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company and luxury brand Burberry. Coca-Cola HBC is one of the largest bottlers in the Coca-Cola system, producing, selling, and distributing a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages across developed and emerging markets. The company’s diversified brand portfolio and new products are well positioned to take market share in its growing categories which should underpin robust profit growth going forward. British Heritage brand Burberry has undergone a strategic transformation over the past four years which is starting to gather momentum and should lead to higher growth and margins. Despite both companies having below market dividend yields of 2.3%, they offer potential for capital growth and superior dividend growth.
2020 was a very challenging environment for income seekers, and 2021 has brought about a different set of challenges for investors. The Trust’s ability to invest a small portion of its portfolio in bonds helps dampen overall volatility, especially during equity market drawdowns, diversifies the income stream and aids the equity portfolio positioning towards companies that offer the potential for capital growth. Henderson High Income has a unique structure but one that it plays to its advantages.
1 Source: Henderson High Income Trust PLC, Annual Report 2020
2 Source: Henderson High Income Trust factsheet, 31.08.21
3 Source: Henderson High Income Trust PLC, Half Year Report 2021 Credit spread Expand
The difference in the yield of corporate bonds over equivalent government bonds.
Inflation ExpandThe rate at which the prices of goods and services are rising in an economy. The CPI and RPI are two common measures.
Net Asset Value (NAV) ExpandThe total value of a fund’s assets less its liabilities.
Volatility ExpandThe rate and extent at which the price of a portfolio, security, or index, moves up and down. If the price swings up and down with large movements, it has high volatility. If the price moves more slowly and to a lesser extent, it has lower volatility. It is used as a measure of the riskiness of an investment.
Yield ExpandThe level of income on a security, typically expressed as a percentage rate. For equities, a common measure is the dividend yield, which divides recent dividend payments for each share by the share price. For a bond, this is calculated as the coupon payment divided by the current bond price.
| Discrete year performance % change (updated quarterly) | Share price | NAV |
|---|---|---|
| 30/06/2020 to 30/06/2021 | 28.8 | 21.4 |
| 28/06/2019 to 30/06/2020 | -13.0 | -11.0 |
| 29/06/2018 to 28/06/2019 | 3.7 | 1.1 |
| 30/06/2017 to 29/06/2018 | -1.3 | 5.6 |
| 30/06/2016 to 30/06/2017 | 20.4 | 15.7 |
These are the views of the author at the time of publication and may differ from the views of other individuals/teams at Janus Henderson Investors. References made to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, investment strategy or market sector, and should not be assumed to be profitable. Janus Henderson Investors, its affiliated advisor, or its employees, may have a position in the securities mentioned.
Past performance does not predict future returns. The value of an investment and the income from it can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the amount originally invested.
The information in this article does not qualify as an investment recommendation.
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