【财经分析】供需结构仍偏弱 信用债四季度布局需审慎

Core Viewpoint - The recent decline in market risk appetite, influenced by ongoing US-China tariff issues, has led to a recovery in bond market sentiment, resulting in a general decrease in credit bond yields [1][2]. Market Sentiment and Trends - The credit bond market has seen a general downtrend in yields, with credit spreads narrowing. From October 13 to 17, yields on municipal bonds with a maturity of 10 years or less fell by 1 to 6 basis points, while credit spreads narrowed by 1 to 7 basis points [2]. - Institutions are currently favoring short to medium-term bonds with higher coupon rates and a safety margin, particularly 3-year municipal bonds and 2 to 4-year bank capital bonds. Demand for long-term bonds has not recovered in parallel [1][2][3]. Institutional Behavior - Fund demand for credit bonds with maturities of 3 years or more remains weak. In contrast to the period from mid-March to early April, where funds increased their holdings of medium to long-term credit bonds, the recent weeks have seen a shift back to shorter maturities [3][4]. - The demand for credit bonds is expected to decline further in the fourth quarter due to a decrease in the growth of wealth management products, which typically see a larger increase in the first half of the year [4][5]. Future Outlook - The credit bond market is anticipated to continue a pattern of oscillation and consolidation in the fourth quarter, with institutions likely to reduce their credit bond positions due to a weak supply-demand structure [4][5]. - Analysts suggest that, given the current supply-demand imbalance, credit bonds are unlikely to yield excess returns compared to interest rate bonds, and liquidity issues may exacerbate risks during interest rate hikes [5][6]. Investment Strategies - Institutions are advised to maintain a cautious approach, focusing on short-duration bonds with higher coupon rates to identify structural opportunities. Specific recommendations include targeting municipal bonds with maturities of 1 to 3 years and yields above 2.2% [7][8].