What are US high yield bonds low carbon?
External ratings agencies assign credit ratings to companies and governments issuing bonds based on an assessment of their creditworthiness. This rating can help to indicate the issuer’s likely ability to pay interest and return the initial invested capital as scheduled.
A high credit rating is considered ‘investment grade’ while a low credit rating may be considered ‘high yield’. High yield bonds are more volatile with higher default risk among underlying issuers versus investment grade bonds. Issuers with low credit ratings need to pay higher interest as incentive to purchase their bonds. As with most investments, higher potential risks demand higher potential rewards to compensate. The high yield bond market was born in the US and that remains the largest and most liquid market.
A low-carbon approach to investing in US high yield bonds is one that would seek a portfolio carbon intensity lower than the broader US high yield market.
One way to reduce a high yield portfolio’s carbon intensity is to exclude certain carbon-intensive sectors such as mining or such sub-sectors within energy.
It is also possible to use carbon intensity scores to select individual bonds across other sectors which will make a lower contribution to the overall portfolio carbon intensity.
Carbon intensity1 refers to the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a company and its direct suppliers. External providers such as Trucost (part of S&P Global), provide a broad set of standardised environmental data on a wide range of listed companies. Carbon intensity scores from such providers may be based on data and analysis relating to factors such as contribution to climate change, water use, waste disposal, fossil fuel exposure, land, water & air pollution, and the over-exploitation of natural resources.
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Why consider investing in US high yield bonds low carbon?
In the current environment of persistently low interest rates, bond investors are finding attractive yield difficult to come by. For those in a position to take on higher levels of credit risk, high yield bonds may provide a yield enhancement to a well-diversified portfolio.
At the same time, many investors are looking for investment solutions that focus on more than just financial performance, as Environmental, Social and Governance (‘ESG’) issues rise-up the agenda. The 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference (COP21) triggered the transition to a low-carbon economy. Since then, a series of regulatory changes have taken place that have led to an increase in awareness of environmental issues.
At AXA IM, we believe the global economy has entered a ‘decade of transition’ towards a more sustainable, de-carbonised model. Carbon intensity is usually recognized as one of the impactful metrics to follow when focusing on the E portion of Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) issues. We believe it is a good way to evaluate what effort a company is making to try to minimize their carbon intensity.
Given the growing focus on ESG and climate change, this is an environmentally conscious way to invest in the US high yield market.
Our US high yield bonds low carbon strategy
Our strategy aims to help clients meet both financial return and ESG objectives by investing across the broad US high yield market, while targeting a material reduction in the carbon intensity.
We adopt an exclusionary process which means we begin with constructing an investible universe by eliminating almost all the most carbon-intensive sectors2 . In addition, we manage carbon intensity and water intensity3 scores through our credit selection process within non-excluded sectors to avoid companies we view as excessively carbon intensive., credit analysis remains the most important part of our process, but we also believe ESG factors can be useful as they provide an additional source of insight.
The strategy benefits from this combination through a well-resourced, experienced US high yield team, alongside access to AXA IM’s proprietary ESG quantitative and qualitative data and research.
The ESG data used in the investment process are based on ESG methodologies which rely in part on third party data, and in some cases are internally developed. They are subjective and may change over time. Despite several initiatives, the lack of harmonised definitions can make ESG criteria heterogeneous. As such, the different investment strategies that use ESG criteria and ESG reporting are difficult to compare with each other. Strategies that incorporate ESG criteria and those that incorporate sustainable development criteria may use ESG data that appear similar, but which should be distinguished because their calculation method may be different.
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Risks
No assurance can be given that our strategies will be successful. Investors can lose some or all of their capital invested. These strategies are subject to risks including market risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. No assurance can be given that our strategies will be successful. Investors can lose some or all of their capital invested. These strategies are subject to risks including market risk, liquidity risk and credit risk.
Our responsible investing approach
Discover more about responsible investing with AXA Investment Managers
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Clean Economy
Innovative companies are creating solutions to address pressures on scarce natural resources and the need for greenhouse gas emission reduction.
Green bonds
Green bonds are among the most interesting innovations of the last decade in the field of socially responsible investment products.
Biodiversity
New nature-related policies and regulation being developed should drive new investment opportunities as corporates commit to biodiversity positive business models.
Social bonds
Rapid growth in the social bonds market can offer a compelling opportunity to invest in the social dimension of the transition to a low carbon economy.
Social progress
Invest in the companies providing strong social utility by making essential products and services better quality, more affordable and more accessible to all.
Disclaimer
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This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute on the part of AXA Investment Managers or its affiliated companies an offer to buy or sell any investments, products or services and should not be considered as a solicitation or as investment, legal or tax advice. The strategies discussed herein may not be available in all jurisdictions and/or to certain types of investors. Due to its simplification, this document is partial and opinions, estimates and forecasts herein are subjective and subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee forecasts made will come to pass. Data, figures, declarations, analysis, predictions and other information in this document is provided based on our state of knowledge at the time of creation of this document. Whilst every care is taken, no representation or warranty (including liability towards third parties), express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information contained herein. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the recipient. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision. Any reproduction of this information, in whole or in part is, unless otherwise authorised by AXA IM, prohibited.