Fixed Income

Understanding fixed income

Fixed income is often the bedrock of a balanced portfolio, involving lending to governments, companies or institutions in exchange for regular income and the return of capital. It is also a powerful tool for generating alpha, supporting sustainable change and diversifying risk. At Robeco, we take a disciplined, research-driven approach, anticipating market shifts and long-term structural trends.


In a world of rising dispersion and shifting macro regimes, fixed income offers timely opportunities.

Why invest in fixed income?

In today's market environment, fixed income is reclaiming its role as a core portfolio allocation. Yields have reset higher, credit markets are becoming more dispersed, and global monetary policies are diverging. This creates fresh opportunities for active managers.

Robeco’s fixed income strategies are built to capture these dynamics:


  • Global reach

    With investment teams across Europe, the US, and Asia, we cover the full spectrum of fixed income – from developed to emerging markets, from sovereigns to corporates, and from traditional strategies to innovative credit solutions.

  • Specialized credit expertise

    We offer expertise across core credit solutions as well as niche segments, including corporate hybrids, financial institution bonds, green bonds, and Dutch private debt.

  • Active management

    We apply research-driven insights to identify opportunities and manage risk, across both fundamental and quant-driven fixed income strategies.

  • Contrarian by design

    We aim to target alpha by identifying market dislocations and mispricing using fundamental analysis and a global perspective.

  • Tailored solutions

    Beyond our time-tested strategies, we provide bespoke solutions such as buy & maintain, benchmark-agnostic portfolios, and client-specific mandates.

  • SI integration

    Incorporating sustainable investing (SI) factors into the investment process enhances decision-making by providing insights into long-term risks and opportunities.

  • 50 years of expertise

    We bring together five decades of experience with innovation, managing over EUR 44 billion in fixed income assets.

How does fixed income differ from other investment types?

Fixed income stands out because it generally offers stability and steady income. While stocks can rise or fall sharply, fixed income investments deliver regular payments with typically less day-to-day ups and downs.

The foundations of fixed income investing

The role of fixed income in a diversified portfolio

Fixed income plays an important role in helping balance a portfolio. It provides steady income, helps cushion against market ups and downs, and reduces overall risk. By combining fixed income with stocks and other investments, you can create a more stable and resilient portfolio that’s better prepared for changing market conditions.

At Robeco, fixed income is a dynamic allocation – whether the goal is capital preservation, yield enhancement, or sustainable impact, we offer strategies designed to meet diverse objectives.

Robeco’s fixed income strategies

Key risks* and how we manage them

  • Interest rate risk
    Rising rates can lower bond prices. We manage duration actively, tilting exposure to reflect macro conditions and risk appetite.

  • Credit/default risk
    This refers to the possibility that issuers may fail to repay their debt. Our credit platform addresses this through a combination of quantitative and fundamental research – both top-down and bottom-up – alongside advanced risk modeling and selective position sizing. We also apply active FX management, using dynamic hedging strategies and currency overlays to help mitigate credit risks.

    In 2003, we developed DTS (duration times spread), a proprietary metric designed to better predict credit volatility. DTS is integrated into our portfolio management process to assess relative value, manage risk exposure, and support performance attribution.

  • Inflation risk
    Inflation erodes real returns. We offset this with exposure to credit segments that carry yield premiums and benefit from economic growth, while avoiding vulnerable sectors.

    *Risk management approaches vary across our fixed income strategies and are tailored to the specific objectives, instruments, and risk profiles of each strategy.


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If you have any questions, or would like to arrange a meeting, please reach out to us.


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In all cases where historical performance is presented, please note that past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results and should not be relied upon as the basis for making an investment decision. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested. Neither Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. nor any of its affiliates guarantees the performance or the future returns of any investments. If the currency in which the past performance is displayed differs from the currency of the country in which you reside, then you should be aware that due to exchange rate fluctuations the performance shown may increase or decrease if converted into your local currency. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. (“Robeco”) expressly prohibits any redistribution of the Information without the prior written consent of Robeco. The Information is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use is contrary to law, rule or regulation. Certain information contained in the Information includes calculations or figures that have been prepared internally and have not been audited or verified by a third party. Use of different methods for preparing, calculating or presenting information may lead to different results. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. is authorised as a manager of UCITS and AIFs by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and subject to limited regulation in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority are available from us on request.