Why Higher Interest Rates Could Draw Yield-Seekers to Leveraged Loans
Investors in traditional fixed income products don’t typically welcome rising interest rates, but many yield-seekers are hoping the Federal Reserve offers a reprieve from the prolonged low interest-rate environment by raising its benchmark rate in the coming months. Mark Boyadjian, senior vice president, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group, says a rate increase would likely be accompanied by a surge in demand for some niche fixed income products offering income potential, including leveraged loans—also called bank loans or floating-rate loans. He explains why that popularity can be a double-edged sword.
The prospects for the US Federal Reserve (Fed) raising its benchmark lending rate this year appeared dim until surprisingly positive economic reports prompted the Fed to hint at its July meeting that rate rises could be coming soon. It remains to be seen if the Fed will raise rates at its upcoming September or December meetings, but from our perspective, the importance of a Fed rate hike down the road is its impact upon credit quality. Our view is that a rise in interest rates may cause credit quality in the leveraged loan space to deteriorate—something we need to be cognizant of in terms of our portfolio risk-management strategy.
If interest rates rise, we believe the number of investors seeking leveraged loans could surge because of an expectation that higher short-term interest rates will create a higher income stream. We think this potential increased demand could create a shortage of leveraged loans. When demand outstrips supply, the companies from whom we are purchasing loans typically tend to relax their covenants and the credit provisions that are built in to protect the lenders, making it easier for more marginal borrowers to secure loans.
I think it’s important to note that leveraged loans are generally not investment grade, which means ratings agencies have determined lenders already are taking a risk by granting them loans. We believe that having a possible deluge of perhaps unqualified borrowers flood the market will make fundamental and independent research even more important for potential investors in this asset class.
In anticipation of rising interest rates and the potential for a corresponding decrease in credit quality, we have generally been reducing our exposure to what we call middle-tier loans, which ratings agencies have given a B rating. At the same time, we’ve generally been increasing our exposure to upper-tier loans, which have been given a BB rating.
We also have also been seeking to reduce the risk in our portfolios by paying attention to three important variables when making investing decisions. First, we determine what our priority would be on the repayment schedule. Leveraged loans have senior status, which means owners of these loans will be among the first to recover an investment if the company defaults or files for bankruptcy. Second, we calculate whether the company has enough assets for us to recover our investment in the event of a default or bankruptcy. Third, we assess the company’s liquidity levels.
Leveraged Loans versus High-Yield Bonds
Fears about credit quality aside, we believe the loans of companies that are vetted properly will likely perform well if interest rates rise. In general, leveraged loans are not interest-rate sensitive because they’re short-term, floating-rate instruments.
I’m often asked how leveraged loans stack up against high-yield corporate bonds when rates rise. The only difference between the two, in our opinion, is that leveraged loans have very little interest-rate risk and generally much lower volatility. Higher interest rates would likely favor leveraged loans over high-yield bonds because the bonds typically have fixed durations.3
We think leveraged loans offer attractive yield potential—nearly as good as high-yield bonds, but unlike high-yield bonds, leveraged loans usually don’t offer principal appreciation because they are refinanceable, or callable. As with mortgage holders, leveraged-loan borrowers take advantage of lower interest rates by refinancing or repricing their loans. It’s rare to see leveraged loans trading consistently above 101% or 102% of par value.4
However, I would argue very strongly that the principal appreciation potential in high-yield bonds comes with elevated risk. So, all else being equal, high-yield bonds have potential for investors who seek to benefit from principal appreciation as rates decline, but ultimately the only way they will be able to achieve their yield target is by taking on greater credit risk.
Whether interest rates are rising or falling, we continue to rely on our fundamental research as we seek to limit our credit risk while we aim to provide investors with a high level of current income and preservation of capital.
Comments, opinions and analyses expressed by the investment manager are for informational purposes only and should not be considered individual investment advice or recommendations to invest in any security or to adopt any investment strategy. Because market and economic conditions are subject to rapid change, comments, opinions and analyses are rendered as of the date of the posting and may change without notice. The material is not intended as a complete analysis of every material fact regarding any country, region, market, industry, investment or strategy.
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What Are the Risks?
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Investors should be aware that the fund’s share price and yield will fluctuate with market conditions. The fund should not be considered an alternative to money market funds or certificates of deposit (CDs). The floating-rate loans and debt securities in which the fund invests tend to be rated below investment grade. Investing in higher-yielding, lower-rated, floating-rate loans and debt securities involves greater risk of default, which could result in loss of principal—a risk that may be heightened in a slowing economy. Interest earned on floating-rate loans varies with changes in prevailing interest rates. Therefore, while floating-rate loans offer higher interest income when interest rates rise, they will also generate less income when interest rates decline. Changes in the financial strength of a bond issuer or in a bond’s credit rating may affect its value. The fund is actively managed but there is no guarantee that the manager’s investment decisions will produce the desired results. These and other risks are discussed in the fund’s prospectus.
Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, sales charges and expenses before investing. Download a prospectus, which contains this and other information. Please carefully read a prospectus before you invest or send money.
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1 As of June 30, 2016, FMG America Finance Inc. (Fortescue Metals Group) common stock represented 2.03% of Franklin Floating Rate Daily Access Fund. Holdings are subject to change without notice.
2 Source: Bloomberg LP.
3 Duration is a measurement of a bond’s—or a portfolio’s—sensitivity to interest-rate movements.
4 Par value represents the face value of a bond.
© Franklin Templeton Investments
© Franklin Templeton Investments
