What is the outlook for US retailers from a bond perspective?

clock • 2 min read

The US retail sector is struggling. This may seem strange, given the US economy is strengthening and consumer confidence is rising.

But this is more than offset by a shift in consumer spending away from clothes and towards experiences, a fall in the number of tourists, unseasonal weather and intense competition from pure e-commerce players like Amazon.  M&G's Leaviss: Will Yellen commit to a second term? Operational performance of the main, speciality retailers and department stores has weakened with most reporting worsening like-for-like store sales, and increasing competition has forced prices - and hence operating margins - down. Some have responded by closing bricks-and-mortar stores in an attempt to adapt ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Investment Week for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, analysis and opinion from the investment industry, including the Sustainable Hub covering fund news from the ESG space
  • Get ahead of regulatory and technological changes affecting fund management
  • Important and breaking news stories selected by the editors delivered straight to your inbox each day
  • Weekly members-only newsletter with exclusive opinion pieces from leading industry experts
  • Be the first to hear about our extensive events schedule and awards programmes

Join now

 

Already an Investment Week
member?

Login

More on Bonds

Deep Dive: Private markets could be the future of 60/40 portfolios

Deep Dive: Private markets could be the future of 60/40 portfolios

Split between traditional and revamped model

Cristian Angeloni
clock 25 April 2025 • 5 min read
Pictet AM's Ermira Marika: Do not fear defaults in European credit

Pictet AM's Ermira Marika: Do not fear defaults in European credit

Risk misperceptions

Ermira Marika
clock 22 April 2025 • 4 min read
Deep Dive: Investors split on investment case for UK gilts as yields surge to highest in decades

Deep Dive: Investors split on investment case for UK gilts as yields surge to highest in decades

'We still see gilts as a safe bet'

Sorin Dojan
clock 11 April 2025 • 4 min read
Trustpilot