Fixed Income
BlackRock provides access to opportunities in the global fixed income markets guided by insights and innovations developed over the 20+ years we've been in business. Our experienced investment professionals are held accountable for information sharing, efficient use of risk and overall performance. This collaborative approach to the pursuit of excellence in investment performance enables us to help our clients achieve their investment goals while maintaining a consistent focus on sound investment process.
A global platform underpins our fixed income trading and risk management, enhancing execution and reducing operational risks. Our proprietary technology, analytics and research resources help us constantly improve our portfolio management and trading strategies. We strive to provide our clients with efficiency, transparency, and early access to opportunities.
Disciplined and independent risk management is a core component of BlackRock's culture. A proprietary risk management system provided by BlackRock Solutions ™ is embedded in every fixed income portfolio, and risk professionals partner with our portfolio managers to analyze risks and enhance the investment process.
| Talent | Our team of more than 400 fixed income professionals enables us to provide extensive global coverage of the fixed income markets. |
| Risk Management | Our strength lies in our combined risk platform of people, systems and culture. |
| Trading | We offer global trading and executing capabilities and provide access to opportunities and liquidity that can result in cost efficiencies. |
| Trust | We have a firmwide commitment to advising and serving asset management clients as a fiduciary. |
Better Alpha
BlackRock offers investment solutions across markets and risk profiles, from enhanced index to hedge funds, in the pursuit of alpha.
Why choose BlackRock?
1. The team's main objective is to deliver optimal, risk-adjusted returns.
2. We have a seasoned and well-resourced team of investment and research professionals with an average of 20 years of industry experience.
3. Our comprehensive market insights are drawn from global perspectives and local knowledge.
4. The disciplined investment and risk management processes we employ benefit from a culture of information sharing.
Our fixed income team draws from a deep understanding of the markets and extensive fixed income product expertise. Firm-wide relative value strategy meetings combine top-down and bottom-up investment insights, resulting in a holistic and comprehensive assessment of both risks and opportunities. Risk management is a core component of BlackRock's culture. Proprietary risk management systems provided by BlackRock Solutions are embedded in every fixed income portfolio, and risk professionals partner with our portfolio managers to analyze risks and enhance the investment process.
Better Beta
BlackRock's institutional index fund and ETF (iShares®) strategies span the world's investable fixed income markets. Our portfolio construction process entails detailed benchmark knowledge, efficient trading, and performance analysis. Daily updates from index providers keep us abreast of new securities and any index methodology changes.
Why choose BlackRock?
1. Our goal is to deliver consistently low tracking error, transparent pricing and best execution of trades.
2. We're an experienced and innovative provider of index strategies like pioneering synthetic beta solutions to support alpha/beta separation.
3. Our full spectrum of global index products can provide efficient, cost-effective exposure to specific market segments.
4. We have the capability and flexibility to implement custom solutions.
Disciplined and independent risk management is a core component of BlackRock's culture. Proprietary risk management systems provided by BlackRock Solutions are embedded in every fixed income portfolio, and risk professionals partner with our portfolio managers to analyze risks and enhance the investment process.
Featured Literature
Inflation/Deflation: Economy at a Crossroads (October 2010)
Read this Q&A with Brian Weinstein, head of institutional multi-sector and inflation-linked portfolios; Eric Pellicciaro, head of global rates; and Imran Hussain, head of emerging market debt to learn more about BlackRock's outlook on inflation and deflation.
A new fixed income growth engine emerges: How your portfolio stands to benefit from emerging market debt
By Lawrence Jones
Currents, July 2010
The relative strength of emerging markets has sparked an upsurge in interest in this sector, largely focused on equities. But sponsors also should examine opportunities in emerging market bonds. The relative risk of emerging market debt is lower than in the past, and investors are increasingly recognizing their under-allocation to this segment. Read on to see why it's time to give emerging market bonds another look.
TIPS to hedge inflation: Treasury inflation-protected securities aren't always the best solution
By Fred Weinberger and Brian Weinstein
Currents, May 2010
In this article, we take a closer look at how Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS) can be used to hedge inflation. We also explore scenarios when TIPS may not provide the inflation hedge investors may be seeking. Read the full article to learn a few new tips for using TIPS wisely.
Better bonds: Focusing on required pension contributions
By Dan Ransenberg and Shawn Steel
Currents, October 2009
Pension plan funding levels remain low yet Pension Protection Act (PPA) rules dictate stricter cash contributions. Because PPA requires companies to discount pension liabilities using corporate bond yields, plan sponsors are focused on matching their fixed income portfolios with their long-term strategic asset allocation strategy. Here are four steps to help sponsors manage their bond portfolio in a cash-conscious environment.
Tips for success: Incorporating inflation-linked bonds and derivatives in a portfolio
By Matthew Crawford
Investment Insights, February 2008
As demand for inflation-linked debt has grown, so have the global markets for these bonds, making index and active exposure more accessible. In this article, we explain some basic concepts related to the asset class (such as breakeven inflation), show how certain strategies pursue alpha, and identify how some commonly used techniques are actually inefficient in generating returns.
Visit the Market Insight/Investment Commentary section of our website for monthly and quarterly fixed income reports including:
Fixed Income Market Outlook
Rick Rieder, BlackRock's chief investment officer of fixed income, fundamental portfolios, discusses the latest fixed income market trends in this monthly report.
By The Numbers: Perspectives on Capital Markets
This monthly newsletter features succinct, analytical articles written by BlackRock investment professionals.