Stocks up, bonds down, and the Fed's not moving

Stocks up, bonds down, and the Fed's not moving

From The Weekly Fix by RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc.

May 19, 2026 · 5 min · Episode 131

About this episode

Andrzej Skiba discusses the impact of geopolitical tensions on bond markets and the resilience of high yield investments.

Prolonged Middle East tensions drive aggressive bond selloffs across global markets, but strong corporate earnings and elevated yields keep high yield resilient amid broader fixed income volatility. Andrzej Skiba, Head of BlueBay U.S. Fixed Income, explores how geopolitical fatigue is reshaping market dynamics, the widening Fed-ECB policy split, and why high yield continues to outperform amid bond market turbulence. Geopolitical standoff in the Middle East is wearing thin on markets, driving aggressive bond selloffs as inflation fears mount despite underlying US economic resilience. The Fed-ECB monetary policy divide is widening, with Europe likely facing inevitable rate hikes while the Fed maintains a cautious hold stance and watches incoming data. High yield stands as the year's clear fixed income winner, supported by strong corporate earnings, elevated yields providing carry cushion, and AI-driven market momentum.

People in this episode

Guest: Andrzej Skiba

Topics covered

  • bond market
  • geopolitical tensions
  • high yield
  • Fed policy
  • corporate earnings

Keywords

  • bonds
  • stocks
  • high yield
  • Fed
  • ECB
  • corporate earnings
  • geopolitical tensions
  • market dynamics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc., Fed, ECB

Places: Middle East

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