Session details

With three decades of managing active bond funds, join Iain Buckle to open the day with a look at the evolving fixed income landscape, challenges and opportunities and Aegon AM’s fixed income solutions.

UK Economist at HSBC Liz Martins will share her insightful views on the current economic climate and the longer-term trends and themes that may impact the economy and policy decisions today.

Host:  Natalie Kenway
External Guest : Eduardo Sanchez, Associate Research Director - Fixed Income, Alternatives & Multi-Asset at Square Mile

Thomas Hanson, Head of European High Yield
Alexander Pelteshki, Portfolio Manager – Investment Grade and Strategic Bond strategies
Colin Finlayson, Portfolio Manager – Rates and Strategic Bond strategies

Investment Grade Bonds 2025 – Primed for active management

A supportive rates outlook, moderate growth conditions, asset class inflows and historically attractive yields – there are many reasons to be cheerful about the outlook for investment grade credit in 2025. However, with credit spreads near all-time tights, expensive longer dated credit and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty there is potential for spreads to move wider although timing and cause are less certain. This gives rise to one of the best environments for active credit management. Join Alexander Pelteshki, Co-Portfolio Manager for Aegon’s Investment Grade Funds and the Aegon Strategic Bond Fund, for this session where he will look at extracting alpha and avoiding index-pitfalls in investment grade portfolios.

Income and Beyond

High Yield Bonds - Five Factors Favouring High Yield Bonds

After high yield bonds delivered strong returns again in 2024, many investors are debating the same question – can the asset class continue to perform in 2025? And with spreads at historically tight levels, why bother with high yield bonds? Although the macro-outlook remains uncertain and credit spreads could be volatile, high yield bonds continue to offer high income and steady carry, providing attractive opportunities for income-oriented investors. While it may be tempting to wait for wider spreads, we contend it is better to be paid to get in the game, rather than sit on the sidelines. In this session Thomas Hanson, Co-Manager of our award-winning High Yield Bond Fund, will discuss how to uncover opportunities and avoid risks as he outlines the five factors favouring high yield bonds.

Stay nimble

Strategic Bonds - Capturing global fixed income opportunities in 2025

From evolving interest expectations to continued geopolitical uncertainty, 2025 has had much for investors to contend with already. Global bond yields remain elevated, offering compelling total return opportunities but navigating the evolving economic and political landscape remains crucial to generating returns. Just where do the most attractive fixed income opportunities lie? Join Colin Finlayson, Co-Portfolio Manager for the Aegon Strategic Bond Fund, who will share how the fund is positioned to take full advantage of potential returns whilst mitigating downside risks, across global fixed income markets for the rest of 2025 and beyond.

Climate Investing - Fad or Future?

Climate Transition Fixed Income solutions

Whilst President Trump slashes climate action and headlines suggest a decline in appetite for responsible investment products; devastating wildfires, deadly floods and rising temperatures remind us that real world climate issues have not dissipated. Climate related risks continue to be a key focus for policy makers, asset owners and managers alike. However, can bondholders really make a difference? Do you compromise opportunity to manage such risks? Join Iain Buckle, Head of UK Fixed Income, to look at climate related risks and opportunities across fixed income assets, sectors and maturities, We will also look at how a forward-looking approach can direct investments to support the energy transition, mitigate climate risks whilst still delivering compelling financial outcomes.