Outlook 2026

Liquid credit

Diverging outlooks

Developed world easing cycle: Closer to ending, with policy now less restrictive

Bond markets have seen a greater divergence over the past year after a period in which most major government bond markets had been driven by broadly similar themes – initially a concern that rates would stay higher for longer in the post-pandemic period, before being boosted by the downturn in inflation that allowed most major central banks to lower policy rates substantially. While the prospect of further easing by the Fed has continued to provide a positive backdrop for US Treasuries, European bond markets have struggled due to fiscal pressures and spending plans that are expected to boost medium-term growth prospects, while in Japan bond markets have struggled as a higher inflation dynamic is seen as increasingly well entrenched.

Figure 1: The easing cycle across the developed world has slowed down

Sources: US Federal Reserve (Fed), Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), European Central Bank (ECB), Bank of England (BoE), Bank of Canada (BoC), Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), Bank of Japan (BoJ), National Bank of Switzerland (Schweizerische Nationalbank) (SNB), Central Bank of Sweden (Riksbanken) (RIKS).

The number of central banks slowing the pace of their rate-cut cycles (or indeed signalling these cycles may now be complete) has grown recently as policy rates have approached neutral. Rate-cut expectations for many have resultingly been wound back, although the Fed is still expected to cut several more times. The risk that at least some of these central banks could end up having to ease more than is currently anticipated, and the limited prospect that (apart from the Bank of Japan) they are likely to raise policy rates any time soon, should provide support to most bond markets from here. 

Credit spreads in the US and Europe remain at historically tight levels; however, the relatively benign macroeconomic outlook and all-in yields that remain somewhat high relative to recent history, continue to drive demand. We also remain wary that geopolitical events could impact bond yield pricing as risk premiums are reassessed.

Public debt market investment implications

  • Duration. Clear signals from many central bank officials that their earlier rate-cut cycles may be near (or potentially at) an end has seen market pricing of further rate cuts for these banks wound back substantially. This suggests room for bond markets to rally modestly should growth falter or inflation prove more benign than expected, although the lower starting point for policy rates may limit the extent of any rally.  In terms of the outlook, we therefore have a bias towards lower yields, looking to add duration on any material backup. This is especially so in the US, where the potential for the tariffs to eventually weigh more substantially on growth could add pressure to an already cooling labour market and see markets price a more rapid rate-cut cycle. This would especially benefit the front end of bond curves, so we also expect further curve steepening – especially given the prospect that on the long end investors price some risk of ‘digestion’ issues in the face of substantial supply due to the ongoing size of government deficits.
  • Credit. While spreads remain tight by historical standards, we continue to expect credit to trade in a relatively narrow range from here. The earlier monetary easing and a renewed fiscal boost should support a relatively benign macroeconomic outlook. Moreover, while spreads are tight, all-in yields remain high relative to recent history, and expectations of positive total returns should drive demand.

Figure 2: The Fed is projecting only a very gradual return to neutral 

Sources: Macrobond, US Federal Reserve (November 2025)

John Horner 
Global Liquid Credit Strategist
 

This information is intended for the audiences as indicated. It is not to be distributed to, or disclosed to retail investors. 

The views expressed in this document represent those of the relevant investment team and are subject to change. No information set out in this document constitutes advice, an advertisement, an invitation, a confirmation, an offer or a solicitation, to buy or sell any security or other financial product or to engage in any investment activity, or an offer of any banking or financial service. Some products and/or services mentioned in this document may not be suitable for you and may not be available in all jurisdictions.

This market commentary has been prepared for general informational purposes by the team, who are part of Macquarie Asset Management (MAM), the asset management business of Macquarie Group (Macquarie), and is not a product of the Macquarie Research Department. This market commentary reflects the views of the team and statements in it may differ from the views of others in MAM or of other Macquarie divisions or groups, including Macquarie Research. This market commentary has not been prepared to comply with requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is accordingly not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research. 

Nothing in this market commentary shall be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any security or other product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction. Macquarie conducts a global full-service, integrated investment banking, asset management, and brokerage business. Macquarie may do, and seek to do, business with any of the companies covered in this market commentary.

Macquarie has investment banking and other business relationships with a significant number of companies, which may include companies that are discussed in this commentary, and may have positions in financial instruments or other financial interests in the subject matter of this market commentary. As a result, investors should be aware that Macquarie may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this market commentary. In preparing this market commentary, we did not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular client. You should not make an investment decision on the basis of this market commentary. Before making an investment decision you need to consider, with or without the assistance of an adviser, whether the investment is appropriate in light of your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.

Macquarie salespeople, traders and other professionals may provide oral or written market commentary, analysis, trading strategies or research products to Macquarie’s clients that reflect opinions which are different from or contrary to the opinions expressed in this market commentary. Macquarie’s asset management business (including MAM), principal trading desks and investing businesses may make investment decisions that are inconsistent with the views expressed in this commentary. There are risks involved in investing. The price of securities and other financial products can and does fluctuate, and an individual security or financial product may even become valueless. International investors are reminded of the additional risks inherent in international investments, such as currency fluctuations and international or local financial, market, economic, tax or regulatory conditions, which may adversely affect the value of the investment. This market commentary is based on information obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but we do not make any representation or warranty that it is accurate, complete or up to date. We accept no obligation to correct or update the information or opinions in this market commentary. Opinions, information, and data in this market commentary are as of the date indicated on the cover and subject to change without notice. No member of the Macquarie Group accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect, consequential or other loss arising from any use of this market commentary and/or further communication in relation to this market commentary. Some of the data in this market commentary may be sourced from information and materials published by government or industry bodies or agencies, however this market commentary is neither endorsed or certified by any such bodies or agencies. This market commentary does not constitute legal, tax accounting or investment advice. Recipients should independently evaluate any specific investment in consultation with their legal, tax, accounting, and investment advisors. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

This market commentary may include forward looking statements, forecasts, estimates, projections, opinions and investment theses, which may be identified by the use of terminology such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “can”, “plan”, “will”, “would”, “should”, “seek”, “project”, “continue”, “target” and similar expressions. No representation is made or will be made that any forward-looking statements will be achieved or will prove to be correct or that any assumptions on which such statements may be based are reasonable. A number of factors could cause actual future results and operations to vary materially and adversely from the forward-looking statements. Qualitative statements regarding political, regulatory, market and economic environments and opportunities are based on the team’s opinion, belief and judgment.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Diversification may not protect against market risk.

Credit risk is the risk of loss of principal or loss of a financial reward stemming from a borrower’s failure to repay a loan or otherwise meet a contractual obligation. Credit risk arises whenever a borrower expects to use future cash flows to pay a current debt. Investors are compensated for assuming credit risk by way of interest payments from the borrower or issuer of a debt obligation. Credit risk is closely tied to the potential return of an investment, the most notable being that the yields on bonds correlate strongly to their perceived credit risk.

Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates between the US dollar and foreign currencies and between various foreign currencies may cause the value of an investment to decline. The market for some (or all) currencies may from time to time have low trading volume and become illiquid, which may prevent an investment from effecting positions or from promptly liquidating unfavourable positions in such markets, thus subjecting the investment to substantial losses.  

Fixed income securities are subject to credit risk, which is the risk of loss of principal or loss of a financial reward stemming from a borrower’s failure to repay a loan or otherwise meet a contractual obligation. 

Fixed income securities are also subject to interest rate risk, which is the risk that the prices of fixed income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. 

Interest rate changes are influenced by a number of factors, such as government policy, monetary policy, inflation expectations, and the supply and demand of securities. Fixed income securities with longer maturities or duration generally are more sensitive to interest rate changes. 

Fixed income securities may also be subject to prepayment risk, which is the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate. Infrastructure companies are subject risks including increased costs associated with capital construction programs and environmental regulations, surplus capacity, increased competition, availability of fuel at reasonable prices, energy conservation policies, difficulty in raising capital, and increased susceptibility to terrorist acts or political actions. 

Investment strategies that hold securities issued by companies principally engaged in the infrastructure industry have greater exposure to the potential adverse economic, regulatory, political, and other changes affecting such entities. 

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue. 

Market risk is the risk that all or a majority of the securities in a certain market – like the stock market or bond market – will decline in value because of factors such as adverse political or economic conditions, future expectations, investor confidence, or heavy institutional selling. 

Liquidity risk is the possibility that securities cannot be readily sold within seven days at approximately the price at which a fund has valued them.

A capitalisation rate (cap rate) is a percentage that estimates the potential return on investment for a property. It’s a common metric used in real estate to compare the value of different properties.

Internal rate of return (IRR) is a metric used in financial analysis to estimate the profitability of potential investments. IRR is a discount rate that makes the net present value (NPV) of all cash flows equal to zero in a discounted cash flow analysis. 

Economic trend information is sourced from Bloomberg unless otherwise noted. 

Macquarie Group, its employees and officers may act in different, potentially conflicting, roles in providing the financial services referred to in this document. The Macquarie Group entities may from time to time act as trustee, administrator, registrar, custodian, investment manager or investment advisor, representative or otherwise for a product or may be otherwise involved in or with, other products and clients which have similar investment objectives to those of the products described herein. Due to the conflicting nature of these roles, the interests of Macquarie Group may from time to time be inconsistent with the Interests of investors. Macquarie Group entities may receive remuneration as a result of acting in these roles. Macquarie Group has conflict of interest policies which aim to manage conflicts of interest. 

All third-party marks cited are the property of their respective owners.

Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) is the asset management division of Macquarie Group. MAM is an integrated asset manager across public and private markets offering a diverse range of capabilities, including real assets, real estate, credit, equities and multi-asset solutions.

This information is a general description of Macquarie Asset Management only. The views expressed in this website represent those of the relevant investment team and are subject to change. No information set out above constitutes advice, an advertisement, an invitation, a confirmation, an offer or a solicitation, to buy or sell any security or other financial product or to engage in any investment activity, or an offer of any banking or financial service. Some products and/or services mentioned on this website may not be suitable for you and may not be available in all jurisdictions.

Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal. The investment capabilities described in this website involve risks due, among other things, to the nature of the underlying investments. All examples herein are for illustrative purposes only and there can be no assurance that any particular investment objective will be realized or any investment strategy seeking to achieve such objective will be successful.

Past performance is not a reliable indication of future performance.

Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of it having regard to your particular objectives, financial situation and needs and seek advice.

Other than Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 (“Macquarie Bank”), any Macquarie Group entity noted in this website is not an authorized deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia).  The obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank.  Macquarie Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities.  In addition, if this website relates to an investment, (a) the investor is subject to investment risk including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested and (b) none of Macquarie Bank or any other Macquarie Group entity guarantees any particular rate of return on or the performance of the investment, nor do they guarantee repayment of capital in respect of the investment.

 

Unlocking alpha in disruptive times
Explore the full report to see our views on the year ahead.