Solactive and Axiom Alternative Investments launch together a Global CoCo Index
Solactive and Axiom AI are pleased to announce the launch of the Solactive AXI Liquid Contingent Capital Global Market TR Index (SOLAXICC), a tailored index for investors that seek broad access to a universe of liquid contingent convertible bonds (CoCos). The index development marks the first joint venture between the German Index provider and the French Asset Manager.
The index will be tracked by UC AXI Global CoCo Bonds UCITS ETF, the first global coco ETF launched by Axiom AI and pan-European bank UniCredit. Launched in July 2018, the index is independently valued and published by Solactive.
In a low interest rate environment and with the search for yields, CoCo bonds appear to be a segment capable of generating particularly attractive returns within the bond universe (SOLAXICC has a yield to maturity of 8.41%[1]) making them an alternative investment opportunity to traditional fixed-income asset classes.
The Solactive AXI Liquid Contingent Capital Global Market TR Index marks the first index to provide a currency hedged market-weighted exposure to the global CoCo Bond market. It includes only issuers with an investment grade rating on senior unsecured issuances and EUR and USD denominated bonds. With €141 bn market capitalization, it is the largest CoCo index in the industry and the most diversified one by the number of constituents (123 bonds).
Timo Pfeiffer, Head of Research at Solactive, commented: ”As a bridge between bonds and equity, contingent convertible bonds are an attractive vehicle for investors, giving exposure to the advantages of both financial instruments, while keeping a low bond-like risk profile.”
David Benamou, Founder and CIO of Axiom AI, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Solactive who has proved to be a flexible, proactive and efficient partner. This tailored index allows investors to get a market-weighted exposure to the liquid Coco bonds universe, an innovation on the market. Driven by long-term changes in the regulatory environment, leading to the emergence of new capital instruments and helping improve the quality of issuers, CoCo bonds are an essential segment in a diversified bond allocation.”
Laurent Dupeyron, Managing Director at UniCredit, said: “Today’s announcement is a major development for investors who can now gain market-weighted exposure to the CoCo universe in an easy and cost-effective manner, while still benefiting from a UCITS structure. With this launch, we are proving once again that we can respond flexibly to market developments and the demands of our clients.”
[1] Source: Axiom. Data as of February 2019