How to maintain income and manage risk in a low-rate world
As cash rates continue to fall, many clients have seen their income from term deposits more than halve as they’ve been rolling into new issues.
This has led retirees to question whether they’ll have enough income generated from their portfolios to meet their living expenses. In this low-rate world, Kyle Lidbury, Head of Investments Research at Perpetual Private recognises that many income-sensitive investors are feeling pressure to invest in riskier assets in order to maintain income levels. In the chase for yield, rather than just blindly moving up the risk curve, seeking alternative income opportunities can help maintain diversification in portfolios and produce better outcomes for investors.
Expect rates to remain lower for longer Markets have been volatile over the past year. Economies broadly speaking (perhaps with the exception of the US), have seen peak growth and are now entering the later stage of the business cycle, characterised by slowing economic growth, decreasing rates as central banks try to stimulate demand, and higher volatility in markets as corporates become more leveraged. This is also a period where strong returns can be generated in risky assets. |
The chase for yield has many investors taking on more risk Assuming portfolios are generally efficient, generating higher returns can only be achieved by taking on more risk. As a result, many investors seeking a higher yield are taking on more credit risk in cash and fixed income asset classes. For example, instead of investing in government bonds (backed by sovereign governments and considered to be the most secure type of security), investors may turn to corporate bonds, which are riskier than government bonds but, in turn, pay a higher rate of interest. They may also look at different parts of the capital structure of those corporates, moving out of the senior secured part of the capital stack and investing in more subordinated tiers, such as hybrids or even the equity itself – all in an effort to maintain the income part of the portfolio.
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Diversification is key to maintaining income In a low-yield world, just increasing credit risk in fixed income assets is not the safest way to maintain portfolio income. At Perpetual Private, we seek to maintain income by accessing different types of ‘alternative’ assets that can generate returns in a more diversified way. For example, in our Income Opportunities Fund, we look beyond just traded markets and delve deeper into markets such as private credit and private mortgages. |
Diversification is key to maintaining income Alternative assets can play an important role in client portfolios as they provide an opportunity to maintain returns, but also enhance portfolio diversification as opposed to concentrating the risks in portfolios. The award-winning* Income Opportunities Fund is our income alternatives asset program for clients. |
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* In 2019, the Perpetual Income Opportunities won the category for Best Multi Strategy Fund for the second year running at the Hedge Funds Rock Australian Alternative Investments Awards.DIVERSIFYING YOUR PORTFOLIO
If you’re an investor who wants to improve the risk-return balance in your portfolio, without sacrificing returns, it may be worth talking to your Financial Adviser about the Perpetual Income Opportunities Fund – or calling Perpetual Private on 1800 631 381 to find out more.