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Wednesday 2 September 2026

Have We Really Learnt the Lessons of the GFC? Have We Really Learnt the Lessons of the GFC?

It is 20 years ago this month that I sat in a pitch and listened to an investment bank describe their latest stroke of genius. In 2006, the Constant Proportion Debt Obligation (CPDO) was hailed as a financial innovation that appeared to offer something for nothing: a AAA-rated security paying a meaningful premium over cash.

The BV comic

Blast from the Past Blast from the Past

19 years of comment

Discover historical blogs from our extensive archive with our Blast from the past feature. View the most popular blogs posted this month - 5, 10 or 15 years ago!

Blast from the Past Blast from the Past

19 years of comment

Discover historical blogs from our extensive archive with our Blast from the past feature. View the most popular blogs posted this month - 5, 10 or 15 years ago!

August 2026

Europe’s new energy scare: Crisis or false alarm?

European natural gas prices are rising again, storage levels are lower than expected, and memories of the 2022 energy crisis remain fresh. But does this really constitute a new energy crisis for Europe, and more importantly for bond investors, does it change the ECB’s policy outlook?

A distressed tail is wagging high yield spreads

In a world of tight credit spreads, one rating bucket flashes value. The European CCC index offers 1,306 bps over government bonds, suggesting generous compensation for taking credit risk.

Rolldown – The credit edition

We previously blogged on which area of government bond curves investors should have exposure to if they want to receive the greatest benefit from the passage of time. In a normal/upwardly sloping yield curve environment, the yield of a bond will fall (and its price will rise) the closer it gets to maturity. Or, as it rolls down the curve.

July 2026

The foundations of Australia’s housing boom are being tested

For years, Australian residential property has been viewed as a one-way bet. Mention the possibility of falling house prices and you’re often met with disbelief. Population growth, constrained housing supply and a deeply ingrained belief that property always goes up have combined to create one of the most expensive housing markets in the developed world.

Arxada and the limits of the LME fear trade

The market increasingly treats LME risk as synonymous with coercion and value transfer. Sponsors have a range of technologies: dropdowns, up-tierings, double dips as well as other non-pro-rata outcomes. In structures with weak protections that instinct is understandable, but increasingly incomplete. Some credits with high LME optionality are delivering negotiated, consensual outcomes that preserve value, and in some cases, unlock upside.

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