A robust second-quarter GDP reading sent 10-year Treasury yields falling as investors look to the long term. For those investors looking to add duration, the Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF (EVTR ) offers notable performance this year.
U.S. GDP rose 2.8% annually in the second quarter, a significant increase from 1.4% in Q1. It also came in much higher than economist expectations of 2.1%, reported the WSJ. Although consumer and business spending proved strong in Q2, earnings season remains rife with cautionary forecasts of muted consumer spending looking ahead.
That said, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose 2.6% in the second quarter. This measurement excludes volatile food and energy prices and proved stable between the first and second quarters. According to some economists, this may indicate economic solidity.
The 10-year Treasury yield fell four basis points in trading Thursday, while the 2-year Treasury yield rose two basis points. Yields and prices move inversely within bonds.
It reflects further normalizing of the yield curve, which remained inverted for much of the Fed’s rate-hiking cycle. Investors appear optimistic, adding longer-duration bonds to portfolios in the last several weeks.
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The Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF (EVTR ) is actively managed and a mutual fund conversion. The fund makes a good entry point for those investors looking to move further out on the yield curve with the benefit of active management. It also outperforms the benchmark Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index since its launch on a total returns basis.
EVTR seeks to generate higher-than-average fixed income returns over three to five years. The fund utilizes a multi-sector strategy that includes both top-down and bottom-up analysis.
EVTR invests primarily in investment-grade bonds, including Treasuries, corporate, municipal, mortgage-backed, and asset-backed securities. It also invests in high yield and may invest in derivatives and non-dollar-denominated securities to achieve its goal.
Mortgage-backed securities (27.68%), investment grade credit (27.02% weight), and commercial mortgage-backed securities (15.04%) made up the largest sector allocations as of 06/30/2024.
EVTR seeks to maintain an average weighted maturity of five to ten years. The fund currently offers an effective duration of 5.86 years and a yield to maturity of 5.64% as of 07/24/2024.
EVTR carries an expense ratio of 0.32%.
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