
Barings Global Investment Grade Credit Fund
(as of December 31, 2024)
Elevated Bond Yields Suggest Attractive Total Return Potential
Global investment grade (IG) credit bond yields are currently trading at significantly elevated levels. Historically, such high yield levels have resulted in attractive total returns in the following 12 and 24 months.
Yield to Maturity % | Average Return in the Subsequent 12 Months % | Average Return in the Subsequent 24 Months % |
>4.5 | 5.5 | 11.9 |
>5.0 | 6.0 | 15.8 |
Source: Barings and Bloomberg. Data range from December 31, 2004 to March 31, 2025. Based on Bloomberg Global Aggregate Credit Total Return Index and monthly observations.
Peak in Interest Rates Provides a Favorable Backdrop for IG Credit
Historically, IG credit has exhibited positive performance in the months and years following the end of interest rate-hiking cycles.
Sources: Barings and Bloomberg. As of December 31, 2024. Based on Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Credit Total Return Index. Returns for periods longer than one year are annualized.
Strong Diversification Prospects to Riskier Assets
IG credit offers the potential for diversification in a broader portfolio of higher risk assets such as equities. In particular, IG credit is relatively more sensitive to interest rates, which provides capital appreciation potential in a falling rate environment.
Source: Barings and Bloomberg. As of April 12, 2025. Global Equities represented by MSCI ACWI Index. Global Investment Grade Credit represented by Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Credit index (USD Hedged). Analysis shown covers the period from 2001 to 2024.