Rising inflation is part of the new bond-investing playbook

Media Note

8 August 2018

Rising inflation is part of the new bond-investing playbook says Eaton Vance

The decade after the financial crisis has been marked by low inflation and investment spending, lagging income growth and a strong U.S. dollar. However, Eaton Vance, a global investment manager, expects these trends to reverse direction and potentially surprise investors who aren't prepared.

Kathleen C. Gaffney, Director of Diversified Fixed Income and Henry Peabody,

Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at Eaton Vance believe that rising inflation is a risk, and this “could be bonds' strongest headwind in coming years, and one that many don't expect to materialize.”

“Our view of rising inflation is based on several factors. They include:

• Governments focusing more on fiscal policies and spending to maintain economic growth.

• Trade wars and tariffs that are already driving price increases.

• Expectations of wage growth as the labor market continues to tighten.

• Companies' apparent confidence they can pass along higher costs to consumers.

• Expectations of higher housing costs.

• Expectations of a weaker U.S. dollar.

“It's not surprising that most investors have a ho-hum attitude on inflation risks. The runaway inflation that many forecast in response to massive quantitative easing (QE) from central banks, of course, hasn't materialized.

“Year-over-year changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks the cost of goods and services, remain modest. Core CPI, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, has averaged year-over-year growth of about 2% so far in 2018. However, under the surface, inflation in goods is very tame, while the costs of services and transportation are rising faster.

“Therefore, we think that inflation is percolating, and could be a major headwind for income-focused investors. After all, inflation plays the role of the primary villain for bond investors,” they note.

What's changing?

“We already listed the reasons why we think inflation is poised to move higher.

Regarding the US dollar, the U.S. appears to be looking more inward, while perhaps being less concerned about the dollar's status as the world's reserve currency. Meanwhile, rising fiscal spending and tax cuts could weigh on the dollar.

“The market's inflation expectations have been moving higher, based on inflation break-even rates. Also, the U.S. 10-year Treasury note yield is again threatening to break out above 3%, seen as a key psychological level. So, capital is in motion, but we still think many investors are underestimating inflation.

“We mentioned governments moving to fiscal policy, and relying less on central bank QE policies, in order to foster growth. But, this fiscal stimulus is coming in what appears to be the later stages of the cycle, following years of low yet sustained growth. Adding fuel to the fire at this point might trigger unintended consequences.

Already, input prices have been trending higher since about mid-2015.

“Now, with tariffs in the headlines, more companies in second-quarter earnings statements and calls are hinting at price increases. For example, Procter & Gamble is raising prices of diapers by 4%, and raising prices of toilet paper and paper towels by 5%. The company cited rising commodity and transportation costs. So, some companies are positioning for inflation, even if many investors are not.

“We also expect home prices will continue to move higher in the US, mainly due to an ongoing lack of supply, particularly for starter homes. In fact, some homebuilders are shying away from building more affordable homes because rising materials and labor costs are making it less profitable.

“Finally, we think wage pressures are building in the US and that wages will rise. Earlier this week, the Labor Department said U.S. employment costs rose 2.8% in the second quarter from the year-ago period - the biggest increase in about a decade. That's another tail wind for inflation and is likely a reason why companies are confident they can pass along higher input costs to consumers.

“For bond investors seeking returns in coming years, we believe inflation will be their biggest challenge,” they note.

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