Nyheter
Our Highest-Conviction Fixed Income Trade over the Next 2 Years
On March 21, the Federal Open Market Committee voted to increase the Federal Funds Rate target for the sixth time since December 2015. As the Federal Reserve (Fed) continues to tighten policy, the ability to generate returns in short-dated fixed income has increased. In response, investors have piled nearly $6.7 billion over the last year into two exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that seek to track one- to three-month Treasury Bills. 1 While we agree with the shift to lower duration as long-term interest rates increase, the shift into t-bills is leaving a significant amount of return potential on the table. Below, we highlight the rationale for our highest-conviction fixed income trade over the next two years and why we believe investors should be investing in floating rate Treasuries instead of three-month t-bills.
Contrasting Two-Year Floating Rate Treasuries vs. 13-Week T-Bills
While t-bills and floating rate Treasuries are both issued by the U.S. government, the yield for a 13-week t-bill is set at a weekly auction. Instead of paying interest, they are generally auctioned at a discount to par, so when they are held to maturity, an investor’s holding period return would equal the quoted yield. Since they do not make intermediate coupon payments (like longer-tenor Treasury notes), the duration of the bill is equal to its maturity (13 weeks).
In January 2014, the U.S. Treasury issued its first floating rate note (FRN). Treasury FRNs pay a coupon on a quarterly basis and mature in two years. The coupon rate “floats” and is based on the 13-week t-bill yield plus a spread. The spread represents a snapshot of demand for a particular FRN when it is auctioned and remains fixed for the life of the note (low demand = high spread; high demand = low spread). The duration of the FRN is only one week because that is the amount of time between interest rate resets.
Trade Rationale
The simple reason that we prefer floating rate notes versus rolling three-month t-bills over the next two years is that we want to receive higher yields as the Fed hikes rates. As short-term interest rates rise, the yield on Treasury floaters will reset each week at progressively higher rates. By contrast, if investors wanted to roll three-month t-bills over the next two years, they would only able to boost the yield of their holdings every three months (e.g., four times per year). Additionally, FRNs receive a spread over three-month t-bills, which currently boosts yields by 5 basis points (bps).
Cumulative Performance
Given that the Fed started hiking rates in December 2015, we know that owning FRNs whose coupons reset along with increases in t-bill yields was the right trade. As we show in the chart below, investors could have generated 1.08% more return by owning FRNs rather than t-bills. Put another way, investors could have nearly doubled their returns by bearing the risk that yields might have declined during these more regular auctions.
Cumulative Return: U.S. FRN vs. 1-3m T-Bills
Similarly, we can also see that this strategy really tends to outperform when the Fed hikes rates more aggressively. During periods where the Fed is not raising rates, the performance advantage for FRNs is driven by the positive spread. While the Fed’s previous projections called for three rate hikes in 2018, it now seems like four rates hikes may be necessary. As a result, the case for owning FRNs only increases in this scenario, in our view.
Contrasting Yield and Calendar Yield Returns
A common rule of thumb for fixed income investments is that the starting yield is the best determinant of total return. For FRNs, this will tend to understate the total returns when the Fed is hiking rates and overstate total return potential when the Fed is cutting rates. As we show below, floating rate notes outperformed in every year that the Fed tightened policy, with the exception of 2015. FRNs and t-bills experienced similar performance in 2015 because the rate hike occurred in December and bill yields actually fell below zero from September through October as investors fretted over the government debt ceiling impasse. In 2016, the rate hike also occurred in December, but bill yields generally trended higher over the course of the year, thus rewarding FRNs with higher carry.
In our view, 2017 may be the most instructive test case for investors in 2018. With a fairly well telegraphed policy of rate hikes in place, the Fed hiked rates in March, June and December. This resulted in FRNs outperforming t-bills by approximately 40 bps.
In our view, should this occur again in 2018, we believe a 40 bps return advantage is reasonable. Should the Fed ultimately hike rates four times in 2018, we believe this return advantage could increase. With most fixed income investors seeing bond portfolios decline in value as longer tenor rates have risen year-to-date, we believe FRNs strike an attractive balance between income, volatility and minimal downside risk. Should rates follow a similar path to 2017, stable and low volatility returns in excess of 2% should be possible.
Impact of Fed Policy on U.S. 1-3m T-Bill & FRN Returns
Given that the basis of our view on FRNs over t-bills is based on what we see as the likely path of Fed policy, this trade represents our highest-conviction fixed income trade of 2018. Similarly, it also represents one of the lowest-risk trades investors can make this year. While a more hawkish Fed will increase the return differential, this approach loses out to t-bills if the Fed ends its tightening bias or t-bill yields decline based on some sort of political shock. With all these risks considered, we believe investors should consider the WisdomTree Bloomberg Floating Rate Treasury Fund (USFR) as our high-conviction trade for rising rates.
1 Source: Bloomberg, from 3/26/17 through 3/26/18.
________________________________________
Important Risks Related to this Article
There are risks associated with investing, including possible loss of principal. Securities with floating rates can be less sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with fixed interest rates but may decline in value. The issuance of floating rate notes by the U.S. Treasury is new, and the amount of supply will be limited. Fixed income securities will normally decline in value as interest rates rise. The value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning in response to issuer or counterparty defaults and changes in the credit ratings of the Fund’s portfolio investments. Due to the investment strategy of this Fund, it may make higher capital gain distributions than other ETFs. Please read the Fund’s prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
Privacy Policy
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Funds before investing. U.S. investors only: To obtain a prospectus containing this and other important information, please call 866.909.WISE (9473), or click here to view or download a prospectus online. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest. There are risks involved with investing, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
You cannot invest directly in an index.
Foreign investing involves currency, political and economic risk. Funds focusing on a single country, sector and/or funds that emphasize investments in smaller companies may experience greater price volatility. Investments in emerging markets, real estate, currency, fixed income and alternative investments include additional risks. Due to the investment strategy of certain Funds, they may make higher capital gain distributions than other ETFs. Please see prospectus for discussion of risks.
![36% of 800 professional investors surveyed by WisdomTree noted ‘diversification’ as their primary reason for holding gold[1]. Our analysis shows that gold has a low correlation with both equities and bonds and, thus, should contribute strongly to a diversification effort.](https://media.etfmarknaden.se/2025/01/Wisdomtree-400x240.jpg)
![36% of 800 professional investors surveyed by WisdomTree noted ‘diversification’ as their primary reason for holding gold[1]. Our analysis shows that gold has a low correlation with both equities and bonds and, thus, should contribute strongly to a diversification effort.](https://media.etfmarknaden.se/2025/01/Wisdomtree-80x80.jpg)
2024 was a landmark year for bitcoin, solidifying its role as a fully institutionalised asset class.
Institutional inflows into physical bitcoin exchange-traded products (ETPs) reached nearly $35 billion globally, signalling a major shift in how traditional investors view crypto. As bitcoin continued to enhance portfolios’ risk-return profiles, more institutional investors followed suit, reshaping the financial landscape.
Looking ahead, 2025 promises to bring exciting developments across the crypto ecosystem. Here are the top five crypto trends to watch.
Fear of being left behind
The era of bitcoin as a niche investment is over. Institutional adoption is creating a ripple effect, forcing hesitant players to reconsider. Portfolios with bitcoin allocations are consistently outperforming those without, highlighting its growing importance.
Figure 1: Bitcoin in a multi-asset portfolio
| 60/40 Global Portfolio | 1% Bitcoin Portfolio | 3% Bitcoin Portfolio | 5% Bitcoin Portfolio | 10% Bitcoin Portfolio | MSCI AC World | Bloomberg Multiverse | Bitcoin | |
| Annualised Return | 5.77% | 6.46% | 7.83% | 9.20% | 12.57% | 9.07% | 0.56% | 56.24% |
| Volatility | 8.79% | 8.86% | 9.14% | 9.62% | 11.42% | 13.94% | 5.05% | 67.28% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.48 | 0.55 | 0.68 | 0.79 | 0.96 | 0.54 | -0.20 | 0.81 |
| Information Ratio | 1.01 | 1.01 | 1.01 | 1.00 | ||||
| Beta | 70% | 71% | 73% | 75% | 81% | 100% | 24% | 181% |
Source: Bloomberg, WisdomTree. From 31 December 2013 to 30 November 2024. In USD. Based on daily returns. The 60/40 Global Portfolio is composed of 60% MSCI All Country World and 40% Bloomberg Multiverse. You cannot invest directly in an index. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investment may go down in value.
With bitcoin’s ability to noticeably improve portfolios’ risk-return profiles, asset managers face a clear choice: integrate bitcoin into multi-asset portfolios or risk falling behind in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. In 2025, expect the competition to heat up as clients demand exposure to this powerhouse cryptocurrency.
Expanding crypto investment options
In 2024, regulatory breakthroughs opened the doors for physical bitcoin and ether ETPs in key developed markets. This marked a critical step towards making cryptocurrencies mainstream, providing seamless access to institutional and retail investors alike.
Figure 2: Global physical crypto ETP assets under management (AUM) and 2024 net flows
Source: Bloomberg, WisdomTree. 02 January 2025. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investment may go down in value.
In 2025, this momentum is expected to accelerate as the crypto regulatory environment becomes more friendly in the United States and as key developed markets follow Europe’s lead and approve ETPs for altcoins such as Solana and XRP. With their clear utility and growing adoption, these altcoins are strong candidates for institutional investment vehicles.
This next wave of altcoin ETPs will expand the diversity of crypto investment opportunities and further integrate cryptocurrencies into the global financial system.
The maturing of Ethereum’s layer-2 ecosystem
Ethereum’s role as the backbone of decentralised finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and Web3 is unmatched, but its scalability challenges remain a hurdle. Layer-2 solutions—technologies such as Arbitrum and Optimism—are transforming Ethereum’s scalability and usability by enabling faster, cheaper transactions.
In 2025, Ethereum’s recent upgrades, such as Proto-Danksharding (introduced in the ‘Dencun’ upgrade), will drive layer-2 adoption even further. Innovations like Visa’s layer-2 payment platform leveraging Ethereum for instant cross-border transactions will underscore the platform’s evolution.
Expect Ethereum’s layer-2 ecosystem to power real-world use cases ranging from tokenized assets to decentralised gaming, positioning it as the infrastructure of a truly scalable digital economy.
Stablecoins: bridging finance and blockchain
Stablecoins are becoming indispensable to the global financial system, offering the stability of traditional assets with the efficiency of blockchain. Platforms such as Ethereum dominate the stablecoin landscape, hosting stablecoin giants Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), which facilitate billions in daily transactions.
Figure 3: Key stablecoin chains
Source: Artemis Terminal, WisdomTree. 05 January 2025. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investment may go down in value.
As we move into 2025, stablecoins will increasingly interact with blockchain ecosystems such as Solana and XRP. Solana’s high-speed, low-cost infrastructure makes it ideal for stablecoin payments and remittances, while XRP Ledger’s focus on cross-border efficiency positions it as a leader in global settlements. With institutional adoption rising and DeFi applications booming, stablecoins will serve as the backbone of a seamless, interconnected financial ecosystem.
Tokenization: redefining ownership and revolutionising finance
Tokenization is set to redefine how we think about ownership and value. By converting tangible assets like real estate, commodities, stocks, and art into digital tokens, tokenization breaks down barriers to entry and creates unprecedented liquidity.
In 2025, tokenization will expand dramatically, empowering investors to own fractions of high-value assets. Platforms such as Paxos Gold and AspenCoin are already showcasing how tokenization can revolutionize markets for gold and luxury real estate. The integration of tokenized assets into DeFi will unlock new financial opportunities, such as using tokenized real estate as collateral for loans. As tokenization matures, it will transform industries ranging from private equity to venture capital, creating a more inclusive and efficient financial system.
For the avoidance of any doubt, tokenization complements crypto by expanding the use cases of blockchain to include real-world applications.
Looking ahead
2025 is set to be a defining year for crypto, as innovation, regulation, and adoption converge. Whether it is bitcoin cementing its position as a portfolio staple, Ethereum scaling for mainstream use, or tokenization unlocking liquidity in untapped markets, the crypto ecosystem is poised for explosive growth. For investors and institutions alike, the opportunities have never been clearer or more compelling.
This material is prepared by WisdomTree and its affiliates and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The opinions expressed are as of the date of production and may change as subsequent conditions vary. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources. As such, no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given and no responsibility arising in any other way for errors and omissions (including responsibility to any person by reason of negligence) is accepted by WisdomTree, nor any affiliate, nor any of their officers, employees or agents. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
FLXA ETF investerar enligt katolska principer
5 crypto trends to watch in 2025
FGLR ETF gör hållbara investeringar i hela världen
Trump’s inauguration day, BTC all-time high and the US election bullish effect
AXA IM antar SDR-märkningar för tre aktiefonder i Storbritannien
De mest eftersökta ETFerna i december 2024
Post-election rally cools at year end
De bästa ETFerna för värdeaktier
BlackRock slår rekord med lanseringen av bitcoin ETF
Hector McNeil kommenterar Trumps krav på Natos försvarsutgifter
-
Nyheter3 veckor sedanDe mest eftersökta ETFerna i december 2024
-
Nyheter2 veckor sedanPost-election rally cools at year end
-
Nyheter3 veckor sedanDe bästa ETFerna för värdeaktier
-
Nyheter3 veckor sedanBlackRock slår rekord med lanseringen av bitcoin ETF
-
Nyheter3 veckor sedanHector McNeil kommenterar Trumps krav på Natos försvarsutgifter
-
Nyheter3 veckor sedanBuffertstrategin på Nasdaq-100 med december 2024/2025 som ny målperiod
-
Nyheter4 veckor sedanValour PYTH SEK spårar priset på kryptovalutan PYTH
-
Nyheter1 vecka sedanHANetfs Tom Bailey om utsikterna för koppar och uran
