A bond ETF in the spotlight

Bonds
Hans Oudshoorn

Summary:  Now that interest rates have risen globally, bonds - especially short-term loans - offer opportunities for investors again.


Level: Any experience


After the sharp falls in bond prices in 2022, opportunities are re-emerging. Globally, short-term interest rates have been raised sharply by central banks whilst long-term rates lag behind, so the 'short-term belly of the yield curve' is the most promising. Currently, many existing bonds - including short ones - are quoted below par and in the recently published Quarterly Outlook "My name is Bond. Long Bond(s)." as well as the article “Why are US T-bills on everybody’s lips?” you can read that new bonds are again offering (higher) coupon rates that we have not seen in years.

As a result, I recently have received a lot of questions - from clients, colleagues and friends - about bond investment opportunities. Therefore, with the falling prices and current higher coupon rates in mind, I would like to share an idea for fixed income securities with short maturities.

In this article I first briefly zoom in on the issuer, consider the investment approach of the ETF and discuss the costs, dividends and risks. I also assume you are familiar with bonds and ETF’s.

iShares $ Treasury Bond 1-3yr UCITS ETF

Founded in 1988, New York-based asset manager BlackRock has become the world's largest asset manager. The company now has 19,800 employees and some US$8,600 billion (!!!) under management. It offers a wide range of investment solutions that allow investors and clients to achieve their financial goals.

For those with dollars to invest as well as accepting currency risk, BlackRock offers an interesting ETF from the iShares family: the iShares $ Treasury Bond 1-3yr UCITS ETF with US$9.9 billion in invested assets. There are several currency flavours of the title; it is also tradable on various exchanges. I discuss the variant which pays incoming coupon rates semi-annually (March and September) in the form of dividends (ISIN IE00B14X4S71).

The approach

The approach of this ETF is quite simple. The portfolio consists of 92 US government bonds with an average rating of AA, or investment grade. Currency-wise, the dollar is, of course, purveyor, so there is currency risk if you invest in the EUR or GBP variant. The benchmark is the ICE U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Bond Index, which they have managed to follow neatly since its inception on 2 June 2006 except for a cost friction.

Ongoing charges fee, dividends and risks

The ongoing charges fee for this ETF is a very sharp 0.07% per annum. Underlying, the net yield (effective yield) of the ETF is currently 5.1% and the average maturity is about 2 years. Of course, the payout could be lower in the future. After all: the value of your investment and coupons can fluctuate. Past performance is no guarantee for the future.


Overall, the ETF offers a great way to invest in short-term US government bonds in a diversified manner. Particularly for investors who want income from their assets, want more portfolio stability and (partly) wish to avoid the vagaries of the stock market. Add BlackRock's knowledge and experience and the five stars at
Morningstar are explained. Is that all? No. The Morningstar Analyst Rating™ has the highest attainable status of ‘Gold’.

And the main risks? Despite the fact that T-bills are one of the safest investments available to USD investors, you should know that they carry interest rate risk and can move substantially around future debt ceiling issues. Besides that, as mentioned above, you have currency risk if you invest in the non-dollar variants of the ETF.

What else? You buy the investment product by the piece, just like a stock. Want to know more? Take a look at the infopage of iShares.

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Head of FX Strategy

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Head of FX Strategy

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...
Disclaimer

The Saxo Group entities each provide execution-only service and access to Analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website is not intended to and does not change or expand on this. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Rules of Engagement and (v) Notices applying to Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.

Please read our disclaimers:
- Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
- Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-hk/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

None of the information contained here constitutes an offer to purchase or sell a financial instrument, or to make any investments. Saxo does not take into account your personal investment objectives or financial situation and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this presentation. Any opinions made are subject to change and may be personal to the author. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of Saxo or its affiliates.

Saxo Capital Markets HK Limited
19th Floor
Shanghai Commercial Bank Tower
12 Queen’s Road Central
Hong Kong

Contact Saxo

Select region

Hong Kong S.A.R
Hong Kong S.A.R

Saxo Capital Markets HK Limited (“Saxo”) is a company authorised and regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. Saxo holds a Type 1 Regulated Activity (Dealing in Securities); Type 2 Regulated Activity (Dealing in Futures Contract); Type 3 Regulated Activity (Leveraged Foreign Exchange Trading); Type 4 Regulated Activity (Advising on Securities) and Type 9 Regulated Activity (Asset Management) licenses (CE No. AVD061). Registered address: 19th Floor, Shanghai Commercial Bank Tower, 12 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong.

Trading in financial instruments carries various risks, and is not suitable for all investors. Please seek expert advice, and always ensure that you fully understand these risks before trading. Trading in leveraged products may result in your losses exceeding your initial deposits. Saxo does not provide financial advice, any information available on this website is ‘general’ in nature and for informational purposes only. Saxo does not take into account an individual’s needs, objectives or financial situation. Please click here to view the relevant risk disclosure statements.

The Saxo trading platform has received numerous awards and recognition. For details of these awards and information on awards visit www.home.saxo/en-hk/about-us/awards.

The information or the products and services referred to on this site may be accessed worldwide, however is only intended for distribution to and use by recipients located in countries where such use does not constitute a violation of applicable legislation or regulations. Products and services offered on this website are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity residing in the United States and Japan. Please click here to view our full disclaimer.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. AppStore is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.