Now in its fourth year, the Aviva Investors Multi-Manager Survey asked fund managers - representing more than £2 trillion of assets under management - for their views on the outlook for markets and likely macroeconomic influences for 2016. Respondents were based predominantly in the UK, but with a global investment scope.
Unanimous view that the UK will not exit Europe
All the managers surveyed do not expect Britain to exit the European Union as a result of the upcoming referendum. This contrasts slightly to the recent survey of equity managers, where 20 per cent of those surveyed believe Brexit will happen.
Returns from both corporate and sovereign bonds of between 0-3 per cent expected by majority
Over two thirds of the managers surveyed (68 per cent) expect returns from corporate bonds of between zero and three per cent. Just 10 per cent of those surveyed expect returns of between four and six per cent and 15 per cent expect negative returns. The picture is similar for sovereign bonds – 79 per cent expect returns of 0-3 per cent and 15 per cent expect negative returns. The picture for local currency Emerging Market Debt is particularly negative – with 50 per cent of managers anticipating negative returns.
Lack of liquidty the biggest risk facing corporate bonds
Nearly 50 per cent of respondents see a lack of liquidity as the biggest risk facing corporate bonds. The next biggest concerns are the withdrawal of quantitative easing and low absolute yields – at 15 per cent each.
Mixed response on the biggest risk facing sovereign bonds
There was a mixed view on the biggest threat to sovereign bonds this year – with rising interest rates (37 per cent of those surveyed), low yields (26 per cent) and the withdrawal of quantitative easing (21 per cent) the key concerns.
Rate rise in the Eurozone not expected until beyond 2017
In the Eurozone, a considerable 63 per cent of the managers surveyed do not expect rates to rise until beyond 2017.
Ian Aylward, Head of Multi-Manager Research at Aviva Investors, said:“Fixed Income investors seem downbeat this year. For example, over 80 per cent expect corporate bonds returns to be negative or below per cent whilst just over half expect outright negative returns from Local Currency EMD. Sixty per cent expect a rate rise in the UK before year end. That said, a very rare unanimous response was received - 100 per cent of managers do not expect a Brexit. This is very different to what public opinion polls would suggest.”
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