Name: Is 2024 the year for US investment grade?
Start: 2024-01-31T15:00:00Z
End: 2024-01-31T15:00:40.000Z
Location: BrightTALK
Rating: 5

Welcome to the AXA IM Core channel. Our purpose, to act for human progress by investing for what matters, is central to every action we take as a business. As a responsible asset manager, we actively invest for the long-term to help our clients, our people and the world to prosper. 
We will share insights and our latest thinking via this channel with clients and the broader investment community. Here you will be able to take part in exclusive webinars with world-renowned speakers alongside our AXA IM investment professionals, and be part of live Q&A sessions. You will also be able to watch recordings of events, videos and read some of our thought leadership content on related topics.


The global economy is set to enter 2026 with surprising resilience - Europe is regaining momentum while the technology sector continues to drive the US market. However in Asia, China’s growth is expected to moderate further.

Join our experts to gain valuable insights on navigating this fragmented environment and discover why we believe the picture remains supportive for both equities and fixed income.

Investment Outlook 2026: The shifting investment landscape

The new US administration’s approach to environmental regulation marks a significant shift in sustainability policy. But what does this mean for investors?  

Join our experts as they provide insights into the evolving landscape of ESG investing, and its implications for investors and companies.

Topics to be discussed include:           
• How investors should navigate the growing divergence between US and European policy
• The impact of policy shifts on corporate behaviour and market issuance 
• How client demand is reacting in light of this evolving landscape

Sustainability in the age of Trump: Expert insights for investors

Register for our webinar now and join Mike Graham, Head of US High Yield, for 30 minutes on Wednesday 7th May, at 4pm CET to hear how the High Yield (HY) team is navigating the current environment and perspectives on what might happen next.

Until “Liberation Day”, HY had remained resilient in the face of market-moving headlines throughout 2025. However, sweeping reciprocal tariffs announced by the US administration on 2nd April instigated a negative reaction across global financial markets that have seen HY spreads widen out to levels not seen since mid-2023.

While the short-term continues to be clouded in uncertainty, fundamental and technical factors have remained supportive. The extent to which this continues to hold will determine the future direction of the HY market.

What next for High Yield?

Mike Graham, Head of US High Yield, and Jack Stephenson, US High Yield Investment Specialist, discuss the HY market and their investment perspectives for our different HY strategies.

High yield bonds: what comes next?

Pension schemes around the world are distributing an increasing amount to their members as they age and retire. By matching cash outflows with natural investment inflows, schemes could avoid selling assets when markets are depressed, while still providing upside growth potential from investing in fixed income markets. This is one of the reasons why cashflow driven investment (CDI) strategies have garnered significant interest from institutional investors in recent years. 

Join us for an engaging discussion featuring our CDI experts, who will provide valuable insights and real-world case studies. Topics to be discussed include:

- Why should pension schemes consider CDI strategies?
- What does a CDI strategy look like?
- What is the added value of going global in CDI portfolios?
- What is the difference between Liability Driven Investment and Cashflow Driven Investment?
- How can sustainability be integrated into cashflow driven investments?

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly with our live Q&A session. So, don’t miss out and register now to secure your place

A global perspective on Cashflow Driven Investment

We believe short duration bonds can potentially offer attractive returns for investors looking for a cash alternative in 2025. The year ahead is likely to be characterised by policy uncertainty and political tensions; yet the asset class’s dynamic, flexible and diverse nature means it could be well positioned to thrive in the current economic environment. 

A holistic approach to the asset class

Chris Iggo, Chief Investment Officer, Core Investment, Bruno Bamberger, Co-Head Investment Specialist Fixed Income, Nicolas Trindade, Senior Portfolio Manager Fixed Income, and Boutaina Deixonne, Head of Euro IG & HY Credit, discuss the short duration market and offer their outlook. In addition, they will share their insights into different short duration investment strategies, including Euro Investment Grade and High Yield short duration.

Why short duration bonds may offer attractive opportunities in 2025

Vincent Denoiseux of Amundi ETF on the key drivers behind the historic growth seen last year, and how to optimise US equities exposure
• In 2024, European UCITS ETFs saw record inflows of €254bn, with equities commanding 80% of net new assets. 
• Vincent will unpack the key drivers behind this historic growth, including the impact of rapid interest rate changes on asset allocation. 
• He will also share actionable insights on achieving optimal US equities exposure amid elevated valuations using ETFs. 

Olivier Paquier of Axa Investment Managers on how Active ETFs can help navigate the uncertainty of the coming year and deliver alpha. 
• A Year of Uncertainty (geopolitical, monetary, default risks…)
• Identified Risks: management risks, ESG risks, default risks…
• Strategies for investors to navigate this environment
• Benefits of actively managed ETFs: in addition to delivering alpha, they also provide robust risk management
• Examples of actively managed ETFs

ETFs: Capture Opportunities in 2025

Concerns over US policy and China's stalling economy will be key to the 2025’s global economic outlook. But while there are numerous uncertainties, we believe the picture remains favourable for both bonds and equities.

Among other topics, our experts will take a closer look at what Donald Trump’s second term as President could mean for the US - as well as the rest of the world - and examine the potential investment implications.

Trump-starting the global economy

Discover AXA IM’s latest perspectives on navigating the current economic landscape and learn how our ETF solutions can help you seize opportunities in the weeks and months ahead.
 
Presenters:
Olivier Paquier - Global Head of ETF Sales
Gilles Guibout, Head of European Equities
Jérôme Broustra, Head of Fixed Income Global Rates

Get Ready with ETFs: What’s in Store for 2025

The world’s largest economy dominated headlines in 2024 - US growth and market performance have beaten expectations while the Federal Reserve finally started easing monetary policy. But what can investors expect from the new US president, and what are the implications for both the US and the rest of the world? 

Former IMF Chief Economist and Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Olivier Blanchard, with AXA IM experts discuss the potential impact on the global economy and markets. 

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions in a live Q&A session - don’t miss out and register now to secure your place.

What will a new US President mean for markets and the global economy?

*For professional investors only*

US high yield, we believe, may funnily enough offer investors one of the lower risk paths to sustaining positive returns as we head to the end of year. The strength of US high yield was highlighted by August’s market turbulence , with the asset class rebounding quickly when compared to the recovery of equities.  
Although events are afoot – most notably the start of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and the upcoming presidential election - which may create some volatility, the characteristics that enabled high yield to remain resilient this summer may offer investors potential opportunities going into 2025.  

How can this resilience shape opportunities for investors?

Mike Graham, Head of US High Yield, Peter Vecchio, Senior US High Yield Portfolio Manager and James Wallace, Head of US Institutional Sales, discuss the US high yield market and offer their outlook. In addition, they will share their investment perspectives for our different US HY strategies. 

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly with our live Q&A session. So, don’t miss out and register now to secure your place.

Why US high yield may continue to be leaders of the pack

Ahead of COP 29, policy advisor and former UN Climate Change High Level Champion Nigel Topping, joins Jane Wadia, Head of Sustainability, Core Products & Clients at AXA IM to discuss the transition to a low-carbon economy and the potential opportunities and challenges it may bring for investors. 

Hear our experts’ insights on the current state of play and their views on how investors can help in the transition to net zero and meet their investment objectives. 

Topics to be discussed include:           
- How the economic and geopolitical backdrop is impacting net zero progress
- Practical ways to integrate net zero targets into fixed income and equity portfolios
- The importance of considering biodiversity as part of net zero investing
- What to consider when moving from net zero target setting to implementation

Navigating the Path to Net Zero: Expert Insights for Investors with Nigel Topping

Listen to Marion Le Morhedec discuss fixed income markets, what has happened over Q224 and our perspective on opportunities across the asset class.

Fixed Income Market Update - June 2024

Listen to Elida Rhenals discuss inflation across the markets and why we expect the road to 2% to continue to be bumpy

Inflation Market Quarterly Update

Listen to Johann Plé discuss the latest on the green bond market, where we are seeing opportunities and our outlook for this asset class.

Green Bond Market Update - June 2024

Boutaina Deixonne discusses the Euro credit market update.

Euro credit market update - June 2024

Hear AXA IM’s latest views on how the current economic and political environment shape markets around the world, over the short term and over the months ahead. We’ll also be discussing about our ETF solutions.
 
Presenters:
Olivier Paquier - Global Head of ETF Sales
David Page - Head of Macroeconomic Research
Andrew Etherington - Head of Institutional Multi Asset & Asset Allocation

Map investment challenges ahead and address them flexibly in your ETF portfolio

For Professionals only 

Register for our webinar now and join our panel of experts on Tuesday 25th June at 4pm CEST to hear their views on the US high yield market.

The US economy has continued to exceed investors’ expectations while healthy corporate fundamentals have helped keep default rates within historical averages. The US high yield market has performed well but can this continue with macro and political storm clouds gathering?

Mike Graham, Head of US High Yield, Vern Bond, Senior Portfolio Manager, and Jack Stephenson, US High Yield Investment Specialist, discuss the US high yield market and offer their outlook. In addition, they will share their investment perspectives for our different US HY strategies. 

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly with our live Q&A session. So, don’t miss out and register now to secure your place.

US high yield: can the good times continue?

For professionals only.

Register for our webinar now and join Boutaïna Deixonne, Head of Euro IG & HY Credit, Benoit de Laval, Senior Portfolio Manager and Gonzague Hachette, Euro Credit Investment Specialist for 30 minutes on Tuesday 14th May at 10am CEST to hear why we are positive on euro credit.

In the current environment, investment grade and high yield both offer opportunities, however being selective could be key. With rate cuts expected as soon as June and economic data still providing mixed results, diversification across euro credit should help investors mitigate the impact of potential volatility. 

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly with our live Q&A session. So, don’t miss out and register now to secure your place.

Where to look across euro credit when markets are uncertain

Register for our webinar now and join us on Wednesday 31st January, at 4pm CEST to hear about the opportunities across the US Investment Grade market in 2024.
We expect that the Fed Fund Rate has peaked at the current level of 5.25% - 5.5%, and we don’t expect to see any significant loosening in policy in the near term.  Corporate bonds should do well in a benign rate environment. However, with the economy also forecasted to soften, the focus is likely to be on quality within credit. 
Is US investment grade, therefore, well-placed to offer investors opportunities against this macro backdrop?
Join Frank Olszewski, Head of IG Active US Credit, and Chris Iggo, CIO of AXA IM Core, as they discuss the US investment grade market and offer their outlook 2024. In addition, Frank will share his investment perspectives for our different US IG strategies. 
You will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly with our live Q&A session. So, don’t miss out and register now to secure your place.

Is 2024 the year for US investment grade?

Fixed Income

Investment Grade

Corporate Bonds

Credit

Investment Management

Investment Companies

Investments

Investment Strategy

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Is 2024 the year for US investment grade?

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