February’s markets created an ideal environment in which to launch the Fund. We took advantage of wider corporate bond spreads to establish positions in various sectors such as REITs, energy infrastructure and financials. The robust new issuance market provided significant opportunity to diversify the portfolio at attractive levels. The portfolio consists primarily of investment grade corporate bonds, along with a modest allocation to high yield credit. Interest rate exposure, as of the end of February, was largely hedged out to focus primarily on opportunities in credit.
Rates
The surprise rate cut by the Bank of Canada in January pushed short-term interest rates to historically low levels as the market positioned for further cuts in Q1. Although some of this move reverted following the Bank of Canada’s decision to leave target overnight rates unchanged on March 4th, we still find that short-end yields remain unjustifiably low. Although yields are likely to move modestly higher, our view is the Bank of Canada will not raise rates this year as the Canadian economy is still adjusting to low oil prices.
In terms of the US market, the debate as to the timing of “lift-off” continues. We believe that the Federal Reserve will remain cautious in its approach to raising rates as the stronger US dollar, tepid wage growth and subdued inflationary pressure provide ample cover for the Fed to move slowly. That said, we expect job growth and consumer demand to remain strong, which will likely compel the Federal Reserve to raise rates during the second half of the year.
Credit
Following a slow start to the year, Canadian credit markets improved significantly in February. Through the month we saw C$ 16 billion of new investment grade corporate bonds issued, bringing the year to date total to C$ 18 billion. The largest Canadian corporate bond offering of the year (so far) was a huge C$ 2.25 billion deal from RBC in 7 year senior funding. This will be an active year for domestic banks in raising capital and term funding both at home and abroad. Corporate issuance should remain strong in March, although price concessions will likely diminish due to high demand. Barring negative developments in the ongoing “Greek Tragedy” we expect the demand for credit to remain robust.
An individual who, alone or together with a spouse, owns financial assets worth more than $1,000,000 before taxes but net of related liabilities or An individual, who alone or together with a spouse, has net assets of at least $5,000,000
An individual whose net income before taxes exceeded $200,000 in both of the last two years and who expects to maintain at least the same level of income this year or An individual whose net income before taxes, combined with that of a spouse, exceeded $300,000 in both of the last two years and who expects to maintain at least the same level of income this year
An individual who currently is, or once was, a registered adviser or dealer, other than a limited market dealer
Financial institutions
Governments and governmental agencies
Insurance companies
Pension funds
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Certain mutual funds, pooled funds and managed accounts
Companies with net assets of at least $5,000,000
Persons or companies recognized by the OSC as an accredited investor
Algonquin Debt Strategies Fund LP | February 2015
The Fund
February’s markets created an ideal environment in which to launch the Fund. We took advantage of wider corporate bond spreads to establish positions in various sectors such as REITs, energy infrastructure and financials. The robust new issuance market provided significant opportunity to diversify the portfolio at attractive levels. The portfolio consists primarily of investment grade corporate bonds, along with a modest allocation to high yield credit. Interest rate exposure, as of the end of
February, was largely hedged out to focus primarily on opportunities in credit.
Rates
The surprise rate cut by the Bank of Canada in January pushed short-term interest rates to historically low levels as the market positioned for further cuts in Q1. Although some of this move reverted following the Bank of Canada’s decision to leave target overnight rates unchanged on March 4th, we still find that short-end yields remain unjustifiably low. Although yields are likely to move modestly higher,
our view is the Bank of Canada will not raise rates this year as the Canadian economy is still adjusting to low oil prices.
In terms of the US market, the debate as to the timing of “lift-off” continues. We believe that the Federal Reserve will remain cautious in its approach to raising rates as the stronger US dollar, tepid wage growth and subdued inflationary pressure provide ample cover for the Fed to move slowly. That said, we expect job growth and consumer demand to remain strong, which will likely compel the Federal
Reserve to raise rates during the second half of the year.
Credit
Following a slow start to the year, Canadian credit markets improved significantly in February. Through the month we saw C$ 16 billion of new investment grade corporate bonds issued, bringing the year to date total to C$ 18 billion. The largest Canadian corporate bond offering of the year (so far) was a huge C$ 2.25 billion deal from RBC in 7 year senior funding. This will be an active year for domestic banks in
raising capital and term funding both at home and abroad. Corporate issuance should remain strong in March, although price concessions will likely diminish due to high demand. Barring negative developments in the ongoing “Greek Tragedy” we expect the demand for credit to remain robust.
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