The Role of Fixed Income in a Portfolio
Risk Management is an important process in managing an investment portfolio. Proper diversification will lower the overall risk in a portfolio, likely offering the investor a higher level of comfort. The result is a lower degree of fluctuations in the performance of the portfolio.
To achieve proper diversification, it is essential that components in the portfolio behave differently in changing environments. Simply put, it is important that not every item in a portfolio goes up and down together. When one asset class goes down, the other asset class should go up and offset the overall risk level.
Government bonds have negative correlations to equities and corporate bonds. As valuations in equities climb and corporate bond portfolios become more vulnerable, the case for re-balancing and buying insurance becomes stronger. As stock markets reach new highs, it is prudent to start buying insurance, such as government bonds.
The Outlook for Government Bonds
The Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve have been raising short-term interest rates in an attempt to return them to more normal levels. They are not motivated by rising inflation, or robust economic growth. Inflation has been very tame and economic growth uneven. Central banks, however, have less and less control in longer-term interest rates, which are determined by growth and inflation expectations. Since these expectations are benign, longer-term interest rates have not risen commensurately with short-term interest rates. This is solid evidence of moderating demand for longer-term capital and, interest rates being the price of money. As the central banks get closer to the end of their interest rate increase campaigns, the prospect of lower longer-term interest rates becomes stronger, making longer-term government bonds more desirable, as lower interest rates means higher bond prices.
The 0.25% interest rate increase by the Bank of Canada on January 17, 2018 had little or no impact on longer-term interest rates. Judging from job losses due to the closing of Sears, the troubled Carillion, and the legislated hike in minimum wage, the employment picture could deteriorate in 2018. The elevated level of household debt in Canada (the highest among the major industrialized economies) will amplify the impact from the interest rate increases. Going forward, longer-term interest rates are more likely to decline meaning bond prices rise.
The Caldwell Income Fund
The Caldwell Income Fund (“the Fund”) is designed to invest only in AAA-rated Federal Government of Canada bonds, which have negative correlation to stocks and corporate bonds. Stocks and corporate bonds rise and fall in tandem. The Fund is actively managed to better protect investors during periods of rising interest rates. It is the only fixed income Fund in Canada of its kind and offers unique diversification for portfolios that already own stocks and corporate bonds. As valuations in stocks and corporate bonds approach historically high levels, AAA-rated Government of Canada bonds provide very effective, low-cost insurance for investment portfolios.
This research report hereby certifies that (i) the recommendations and opinions expressed in the research report accurately reflect the research analyst’s personal views about any and all of the securities or issuers discussed herein that are within the analyst’s coverage universe and (ii) no part of the research analyst’s compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the provision of specific recommendations or views expressed by the research analyst in the research report. This report is produced entirely by Caldwell. All opinions, estimates and other information included in this report constitute our judgment as of the date hereof and are subject to change without notice or has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, but we do not guarantee its accuracy. Caldwell will furnish upon request publicly available information on which this report is based. All rights reserved. This is not an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security investment or other product. The information contained in this document is designed to provide general information related to investment alternatives and strategies and is not intended to be investment or any other advice applicable to the circumstances of individual investors. We strongly recommend you to consult with a financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. Unless otherwise specified, information in this document is provided as of the date of first publication and will not be updated. All information herein is qualified in its entirety by the disclosure found in the Caldwell Income Fund’s most recently filed simplified prospectus. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing in this product. Unless otherwise indicated, rate of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any security holder that would have reduced returns. Mutual funds are not guaranteed; their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The Caldwell Income Fund is a publicly offered mutual fund that offers its securities pursuant to a simplified prospectus dated July 20, 2017. Inception Date: Series A - July 27, 1997, Series F - July 4, 2014, Series I - July 15, 2016. Principal distributor: Caldwell Securities Ltd.
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