AstraZeneca PLC ADRhedged (AZNH US) - Investment Proposition

Core Viewpoint - The US investment-grade (IG) credit market is showing signs of recovery after a challenging start to 2021, with opportunities arising from price corrections and attractive yields for investors, particularly those based in Europe [4][6]. Group 1: Market Conditions - In 2020, investment-grade credit was favored due to wider spreads to government bonds and central bank support [3]. - By the end of 2020, rising US Treasury yields and the cessation of the Federal Reserve's buying program led to negative returns and net selling in Q1 2021 [4]. - Recent stability in Treasury yields has created an incentive for investors to reassess their positions in IG credit, as economic and inflation data have shown positive surprises [6]. Group 2: Investment Opportunities - Yields on US IG credit funds are now above 2%, making them attractive compared to similar EUR exposures, which yield around 30 basis points [6]. - The cost of hedging against currency risks is historically low, making US credit investments more favorable for EUR-based investors, with spreads close to 100 basis points being the most favorable since early 2017 [6]. Group 3: ESG Considerations - Recent announcements from the UK and US governments regarding carbon emissions are expected to heighten focus on climate and ESG themes, influencing investment strategies in US IG credit [11]. - There has been a notable trend of European investors moving towards ESG-based investment strategies in US credit over the past year [11]. - The Bloomberg SASB US Corporate ESG Ex-Controversies Select Index excludes companies involved in controversial industries and optimizes for ESG exposure while aligning closely with the broader Bloomberg Barclays US Corporate Index [12][13].