Until recently, inflation has been seemingly non-existent. Between 2008 and the beginning of 2021, inflation had increased by approximately 1.6% per year. Fast forward to today — a basket of goods and services as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has risen by over 5% each month since May 2021.

Wellesley Asset Management Surpasses $3 Billion in Regulatory Assets Under Management as They Celebrate Their 30th Year Anniversary.
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1. INFLATION IS REARING ITS UGLY HEAD – IS YOUR FORTFOLIO READY?
2. DOWNSIDE PROTECTION: A CASE STUDY 
3. THE RATIONAL INVESTOR?
4. Q&A WITH THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

A high yield bond investor earns positive returns in three ways — clipping a coupon or current yield, an increase in value of the bond as holders enjoy the fruits of improved credit worthiness of an investment, or a fall in the general level of market interest rates.

Convertible bond investors are often frustrated with limited investment choices or options regarding convertible securities especially related to sporadic or narrow convertible issuance, or that the universe of companies and sectors with outstanding convertibles is not larger or more diverse.

“Why Wellesley’s Convertible Bond Strategy Now?”, “Wellesley Asset Management’s Investment Process: The Three Legs of the Stool”, “The Traditional 60/40 Portfolio is DEAD”, “Got the Need for Income in Retirement”.

The trend of lower rates accelerated beginning November 8, 2018 when 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yields began a descent that saw their yield drop from 3.23% to a recent jaw-dropping all-time low of 0.40% on March 9, 2020.

Convertible bonds are sometimes considered the “Swiss Army knife” of financial products because they can provide investors with principal protection (barring default), income, and equity-like returns.

Unlike traditional convertible bonds, the credit exposure of a synthetic remains with the issuing company, typically a bank. The equity exposure, however, is tied to the underlying company’s stock.

Convertible bonds as an asset class are experiencing a resurgence in popularity as companies seek new sources of financing during COVID-19.