Strategic Global Income Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") (NYSE: SGL) is a
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company seeking a
high level of current income as a primary objective and capital
appreciation as a secondary objective through investments in US and
foreign debt securities.
Fund Commentary for the second quarter of
2014 from UBS Global Asset Management (Americas) Inc. (“UBS Global
AM”), the Fund’s investment advisor
Market Review
The global fixed income market again generated positive results
during the second quarter. The yield on the US 10-year Treasury
fell from 2.73% to 2.53% over the period amid mixed economic data,
geopolitical issues and several flights to quality. At its meetings
in April and June 2014, the Federal Reserve Board (the "Fed")
announced that it would further taper its purchases of longer-term
Treasuries and agency mortgage-backed securities. In each case, the
Fed said it planned to pare its purchases by a total of $10 billion
per month. In its official statement following its June meeting the
Fed said, "Information received since the Federal Open Market
Committee met in April indicates that growth in economic activity
has rebounded in recent months. Labor market indicators generally
showed further improvement. The unemployment rate, though lower,
remains elevated. Household spending appears to be rising
moderately and business fixed investment resumed its advance, while
the recovery in the housing sector remained slow." All told, global
government bond markets gained 2.27% over the quarter, as measured
by the Citigroup World Government Bond Index. From a currency
perspective, the Canadian dollar, British pound and Japanese yen
were the best performing currencies, while the Swedish krona,
Norwegian krone and euro were the worst-performing currencies.
Sector Overview
Most US spread sectors1 generated positive returns during the
second quarter. Spread sectors were supported by declining
long-term yields and overall solid demand from investors looking to
generate incremental yield. Among the strongest performers were
investment grade and high yield corporate bonds and mortgage-backed
securities ("MBS"). Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS")
and asset-backed securities ("ABS") also posted positive results
during the quarter.
The emerging markets debt asset class was the best-performing
segment of the bond market during the quarter. The segment
benefited from strong investor demand, declining US Treasury yields
and some signs of stabilization in China's economy. As measured by
the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (EMBI Global),
US dollar-denominated debt posted a 5.43% return over the three
months, whereas local currency emerging markets debt, as measured
by the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets Global
Diversified (GBI-EM Global Diversified), posted a 4.02% return
during the same time period.
Performance Review
During the second quarter of 2014, the Fund posted a net asset
value total return of 3.26% and a market price total return of
3.16%. On a net asset value total return basis, the Fund slightly
underperformed its benchmark, the Strategic Global Benchmark (the
“Index”),2 which returned 3.31% over the quarter.
The Fund's spread sector exposure was a positive for performance
during the second quarter. Security selection and a substantial
overweight allocation to investment grade corporate bonds—both
financials and industrials—contributed to performance. An
overweight to high yield corporate bonds was also beneficial as was
an overweight to, and security selection in, CMBS. Elsewhere,
overweights to agency MBS and collateralized loan obligations
("CLOs") contributed to performance. On the downside, an
underweight to non-U.S. bond markets detracted from results.
We tactically adjusted the Fund's duration over the period, but
remained shorter than that of the benchmark. This detracted from
performance as rates largely declined during the second quarter.
The Fund's yield curve positioning was also a negative for
performance during the quarter. From a currency perspective, an
underweight position to the Japanese yen detracted from
performance, as the currency strengthened relative to the US
dollar, while an out-of-index allocation to certain emerging
markets currencies was rewarded.
From an emerging markets debt perspective, an underweight versus
the benchmark detracted from performance. In addition, a short
duration in the asset class, along with an allocation to Ghana
local debt, dragged on results. On the upside, the Fund's
allocations to Brazilian local debt, as well as to Venezuelan,
Belarusian and Russian U.S. dollar-denominate debt, contributed to
performance.
Outlook
We believe that the US economy remains on a positive trajectory,
as the housing market continues to improve and unemployment slowly
declines. In addition, consumer spending has been solid. While the
European economy is still weak, there have been some signs of
stabilization, in part due to ongoing support from the European
Central bank. Japan's economy has shown signs of recent strength,
although it is too early to tell if the Bank of Japan's high
accommodative monetary policy will lead to a sustainable expansion
and an end to its lengthy deflationary cycle. Elsewhere, while
growth in China has moderated, we feel that the country can avoid a
hard landing for its economy.
We feel that the generally positive economic backdrop will be
supportive for spread sectors and that we could see some additional
spread tightening. However, if growth accelerates, we could see
interest rates move higher, which would negatively impact the
overall fixed income market. We are also closely monitoring a
potential investor rotation from fixed income to equities. Given
these potential headwinds, we expect to maintain the Fund's short
duration.
Many emerging markets countries are experiencing growth well
above their major developed country counterparts, although the
former are not immune to global developments. We expect to see
emerging market growth rates moderate somewhat in 2014, based on
lower exports to developed markets. However, advantages in terms of
growth and relatively low fiscal deficits are favorable for debt
dynamics in emerging markets on a longer-term horizon. That said,
in the short-term we are less favorable on the asset class and feel
that volatility within the asset class could remain elevated in the
near term due to market uncertainty and investor risk aversion. But
overall we continue to have a positive long-term outlook for
emerging market investments. Solid fundamental data, stable
reserves, a stronger fiscal situation and lower indebtedness are
signs of such strengths, especially for emerging market sovereigns,
quasi-sovereigns and currencies.
Portfolio statistics as of June 30, 20143
Top ten countries (bond holdings only)4 Percentage
of net assets United States 46.0 % United Kingdom 5.7
Brazil 4.8 Russia 3.2 Italy 2.6 France 2.4
Belgium 2.3 Mexico 2.2 Venezuela 1.9
Germany 1.9 Total 73.0
Top ten currency breakdown (includes
all securities and other instruments) 5
Percentage of net assets United States Dollar
69.0 % Euro 16.5 Australian Dollar 3.3
British Pound 2.7 Brazilian Real 2.3
New Zealand Dollar 0.9 Mexican Peso 0.9
Swedish Krona 0.9 Russian Ruble 0.7
Nigerian Naira 0.5
Credit
quality6 Percentage of net assets AAA
4.8 % US Treasury7 3.7 US Agency7,8 7.0
AA 8.4 A 9.8 BBB 20.2
BB 13.7 B 8.3 CCC and Below
1.1 Non-rated 20.7 Cash and other
assets, less liabilities 2.3 Total
100.0
Characteristics
Net asset value per share9 $ 10.67 Market
price per share9 $ 9.35 NAV distribution rate (DR)9
4.99 % Market distribution rate (DR)9 5.70 % Duration10 5.1
yrs Weighted average maturity 8.3 yrs
1 A spread sector refers to non-government fixed income sectors,
such as investment grade or high yield bonds, commercial
mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), etc.
2 The Strategic Global Benchmark is an unmanaged index compiled
by the advisor, constructed as follows: 67% Citigroup World
Government Bond Index (WGBI) and 33% JP Morgan Emerging Markets
Bond Index Global (EMBI Global). Investors should note that indices
do not reflect the deduction of fees or expenses.
3 The Fund’s portfolio is actively managed, and its portfolio
composition will vary over time.
4 Excludes exposures obtained via derivatives (e.g., swaps).
5 Forward foreign currency contracts are reflected at unrealized
appreciation/depreciation; this may not align with the risk
exposure described in the portfolio commentary section which
reflects forward foreign currency contracts based on contract
notional amount. As of the most recent period end, June 30, 2014,
the Fund maintained a risk exposure to non-US dollar currencies
equal to approximately 20% of the Fund.
6 Credit quality ratings shown in the table are based on those
assigned by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a part of
McGraw-Hill Financial (“S&P”), to individual portfolio
holdings. S&P is an independent ratings agency. Rating
reflected represents S&P individual debt issue credit rating.
While S&P may provide a credit rating for a bond issuer (e.g.,
a specific company or country); certain issues, such as some
sovereign debt, may not be covered or rated and therefore are
reflected as non-rated for the purposes of this table. Credit
ratings range from AAA, being the highest, to D, being the lowest,
based on S&P’s measures; ratings of BBB or higher are
considered to be investment grade quality. Unrated securities do
not necessarily indicate low quality. Further information regarding
S&P’s rating methodology may be found on its website at
www.standardandpoors.com. Please note that any references to credit
quality made in the commentary preceding the table may reflect
ratings based on multiple providers (not just S&P) and thus may
not align with the data represented in this table.
7 S&P downgraded long-term US government debt on August 5,
2011 to AA+. Other rating agencies continue to rate long-term US
government debt in their highest ratings categories. The Fund’s
aggregate exposure to AA rated debt as of June 30, 2014 would
include the percentages indicated above for AA, US Treasury and US
Agency debt but has been broken out into three separate categories
to facilitate understanding.
8 Includes agency debentures and agency mortgage-backed
securities.
9 Net asset value (NAV), market price and distribution rates
will fluctuate. NAV distribution rate (DR) is calculated by
multiplying the current month’s regular monthly distribution by 12
and dividing by the month-end net asset value. Market distribution
rate (DR) is calculated by multiplying the current month’s regular
monthly distribution by 12 and dividing by the month-end market
price.
10 Duration is a measure of price sensitivity of a fixed income
investment or portfolio (expressed as % change in price) to a 1
percentage point (i.e., 100 basis points) change in interest rates,
accounting for optionality in bonds such as prepayment risk and
call/put features.
Any performance information reflects the deduction of the Fund’s
fees and expenses, as indicated in its shareholder reports, such as
investment advisory and administration fees, custody fees, exchange
listing fees, etc. It does not reflect any transaction charges that
a shareholder may incur when (s)he buys or sells shares (e.g., a
shareholder’s brokerage commissions).
Disclaimers Regarding Fund Commentary - The Fund
Commentary is intended to assist shareholders in understanding how
the Fund performed during the period noted. Views and opinions were
current as of the date of this press release. They are not
guarantees of performance or investment results and should not be
taken as investment advice. Investment decisions reflect a variety
of factors, and the Fund and UBS Global AM reserve the right to
change views about individual securities, sectors and markets at
any time. As a result, the views expressed should not be relied
upon as a forecast of the Fund’s future investment intent.
Past performance does not predict future performance. The return
and value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's
shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original
cost. Any Fund net asset value ("NAV") returns cited in a Fund
Commentary assume, for illustration only, that dividends and other
distributions, if any, were reinvested at the NAV on the payable
dates. Any Fund market price returns cited in a Fund Commentary
assume that all dividends and other distributions, if any, were
reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's Dividend
Reinvestment Plan. Returns for periods of less than one year have
not been annualized. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes
that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends and other
distributions, if any, or on the sale of Fund shares.
Investing in the Fund entails specific risks, such as
interest rate, credit and the risks associated with investing in
the securities of non-US issuers, including those located in
emerging market countries. The value of the Fund's
investments in foreign securities may fall due to adverse
political, social and economic developments abroad and due to
decreases in foreign currency values relative to the US
dollar. Further detailed information regarding the Fund,
including a discussion of principal objectives, principal
investment strategies and principal risks, may be found in the fund
overview located at
http://www.ubs.com/closedendfundsinfo. You may also
request copies of the fund overview by calling the Closed-End Funds
Desk at 888-793 8637.
©UBS 2014. All rights reserved.
The key symbol and UBS are among the registered and unregistered
trademarks of UBS.
UBS Global Asset ManagementClosed-End Funds Desk: 888-793
8637www.ubs.com
Strategic Global Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE:SGL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2024 to Jan 2025
Strategic Global Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE:SGL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jan 2024 to Jan 2025