Non-Agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities: Income and Appreciation Potential with Limited Downside Risk

This Non-Agency RMBS sector report is excerpted from the First Quarter 2023 Fixed-Income Sector Views.

Non-Agency RMBS credit spreads reached new post-COVID wides early in the fourth quarter in tandem with broader liquid credit markets before modestly recovering in December. RMBS 1.0 and RMBS 2.0 subsectors—RMBS issued pre- or post-Global Financial Crisis—posted -0.2 percent and -1.5 percent returns, respectively, in the fourth quarter. RMBS valuations lagged the late fourth quarter rally in broader risk markets due to a lack of trading volume and reduced risk appetite from end investors and dealers, thereby leaving spreads elevated relative to liquid credit benchmarks. For example, credit spreads on AAA-rated non-qualified mortgage tranches ended the year 85 basis points higher than they began 2022, while spreads for investment-grade corporate bonds widened by 30 basis points over the same period. Fourth quarter RMBS issuance volume declined by 75 percent quarter over quarter, from $20.7 billion to $5.3 billion, and full year 2022 issuance of $110 billion marked a 33 percent decline from 2021. Primary issuance is expected to decline even further in 2023 due to higher mortgage rates and reduced home sales activity, which is now at levels last seen during the onset of the pandemic. Additionally, refinancing activity is expected to be minimal as nearly98 percent of outstanding mortgages have rates below the current market rate. The expectation of slow prepayments, even under moderate interest rate declines, reduces the call risk in MBS and improve their yield profiles across interest rate scenarios.

Conservative mortgage underwriting, favorable consumer and labor market conditions, and an excess demand for shelter in the United States helped to alleviate the credit concerns posed by the cooling housing market. Prior to the recent softening in the housing market, price appreciation was robust. Consequently, home equity totaled $30 trillion versus $13 trillion in outstanding mortgage debt, providing ample cushion to endure any home-price declines. We continue to favor non-qualified mortgage RMBS 2.0 mezzanine and senior tranches with loss-remote, stable weighted average life profiles, reperforming loan deals, and RMBS 1.0 backed by loans with significant home equity. These subsectors have recently traded at discounted dollar prices with 6–7 percent yields while carrying a low likelihood of principal loss.

—By Karthik Narayanan and Roy Park

Important Notices and Disclosures

This material is distributed or presented for informational or educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product, or as investing advice of any kind. This material is not provided in a fiduciary capacity, may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions, and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. The content contained herein is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and/or a legal opinion. Always consult a financial, tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific situation.

This material contains opinions of the authors, but not necessarily those of Guggenheim Partners, LLC or its subsidiaries. The opinions contained herein are subject to change without notice. Forward-looking statements, estimates, and certain information contained herein are based upon proprietary and non-proprietary research and other sources. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but are not assured as to accuracy. Past performance is not indicative of future results. There is neither representation nor warranty as to the current accuracy of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Investments in fixed-income instruments are subject to the possibility that interest rates could rise, causing their values to decline. High yield and unrated debt securities are at a greater risk of default than investment grade bonds and may be less liquid, which may increase volatility. Investors in asset-backed securities, including mortgage-backed securities and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), generally receive payments that are part interest and part return of principal. These payments may vary based on the rate loans are repaid. Some asset-backed securities may have structures that make their reaction to interest rates and other factors difficult to predict, making their prices volatile and they are subject to liquidity and valuation risk. CLOs bear similar risks to investing in loans directly, such as credit, interest rate, counterparty, prepayment, liquidity, and valuation risks. Loans are often below investment grade, may be unrated, and typically offer a fixed or floating interest rate.

Guggenheim Investments represents the following affiliated investment management businesses: Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, Security Investors, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Corporate Funding, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Europe Limited, Guggenheim Partners Japan Limited, GS GAMMA Advisors, LLC, and Guggenheim Partners India Management.

©2023, Guggenheim Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means without the express written consent of Guggenheim Partners, LLC.

GPIM 56244

VIDEOS AND PODCASTS

 

2022’s Upside: The Fed Has Put the Income Back in Fixed Income

Anne Walsh, Chief Investment Officer for Fixed Income at Guggenheim Investments, joined Asset TV to discuss macroeconomic conditions, risk, and relative value in the bond market.

×

2022’s Upside: The Fed Has Put the Income Back in Fixed Income

 

Macro Markets Podcast Episode 31: Post-FOMC/SVB Analysis

Matt Bush, Guggenheim Investments U.S. Economist, and Evan Serdensky, a Portfolio Manager on our Total Return team, share their perspectives and outlook following two eventful weeks in markets and the economy. They discuss the future path of monetary policy, the effects of a possible credit crunch, and investment strategy and positioning.

×

Macro Markets Podcast: Episode #31