Why investors are exploring risky alternatives to government bonds - James Rowbury

Lower yields on government bonds, which are in some cases providing negative real returns, is a new normal in present days, urging investors to explore other riskier alternatives, in order to chase higher yields.

This has resulted in a boom of the US junk bond market, pushing outstanding debt in issue to record highs of US$1.5tn.

A record 149 companies, including cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase joined the high-yield bond market this year, where lower-rated, riskier companies borrow money from large asset managers, pension funds and other investors.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With interest rates at record low levels, companies are eager to raise cheap funds and investors are desperate to put their cash to work, leading to a perfect symphony.

James Rowbury, Investment Research Lead, Redmayne BentleyJames Rowbury, Investment Research Lead, Redmayne Bentley
James Rowbury, Investment Research Lead, Redmayne Bentley
Read More
How can the Bank of England stop inflation rising? - James Rowbury

But all is not bright, with rising debt issuance investors are struggling to conduct due diligence on the companies they lend to. The short time between the launch and completion of new deals often puts immense pressure on the work required to become familiar with these new issuers.

All this combined is worrisome and may potentially lead to surprises down the line.

Focusing on UK, Glencore backed start-up Britishvolt is in advanced talks with the government to secure support for its electric car battery facility which, if successful, will be a huge boost for the auto industry in the country.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The company has been attempting to secure government support for more than a year now with the aim to become a large-scale UK battery producer. There is certainly a huge potential for immense competition in battery manufacturing with Nissan and its supplier Envision already manufacturing batteries in Sunderland, with plans to significantly expand the current capacity.

Stellantis and Ford have recently secured British government financial support also. According to speculation, Britishvolt is in talks with Tevva Motors, a UK start-up that develops electric trucks and Lion Electric, a Canadian commercial vehicle group that supplies battery packs.

In Yorkshire, Sheffield-based nutritional supplement company SupplementHub has opened an EU distribution centre in the Netherlands. The company is the consumer arm of the Functional Nutrition group.

The group also owns Amrita Nutrition, a business-to-business provider of supplements for nutritional practitioners to prescribe to their clients. The group was founded in 2007 by David Brassey who then launched Supplement Hub in 2019.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Functional Nutrition Group has grown substantially, achieving a turnover of £8m in the last financial year. The EU warehouse in the Netherlands is now fully operational and the company has also hired a management team to oversee business activity within the EU.

With this first step, Functional Nutrition Hub is expected to grow the business further, expanding in multiple overseas markets.

Please note that investments and income arising from them can fall as well as rise in value.This communication is for information only and does not constitute a recommendation to

buy or sell the shares of the investments mentioned.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you'll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you

James Mitchinson