The Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund has performed well in 2024 as a Fed on hold has held interest rates in check and benefited the long-duration WIW. Looking forward, with the Fed beginning a rate-cutting cycle, long-term yields should continue to decline, benefiting long-duration funds like the WIW. The risk to watch out for is a resurgence in inflation, which could cause the Fed to stop cutting interest rates and may even spur another round of rate hikes.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Category: Fund Announcement.
The Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund has performed poorly in 2023 as 'higher for longer' interest rates acted as a headwind. The Federal Reserve's shift to a 'soft landing' policy stance and potential rate cuts in 2024 may benefit long-duration bond funds like WIW. The key risk for WIW and bond investors is whether the Fed's declaration of victory over inflation is premature, potentially leading to a comeback of inflation in 2024.
Western Asset Infl-Linked Opps & Inc Fd is a fund that primarily invests in Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities. As of June 30, 2023, WIW's investment portfolio was heavily skewed towards inflation-linked securities, primarily TIPS. I think we are closer than ever to a credit event which would collapse inflation expectations to crash for a moment in time.