Latest news with #BOND
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
PIMCO Bond Manager Says Securitized Credit Remains Appealing
Securitized credit is popular with active bond fund managers. That may make it seem like a crowded trade, but David Braun, portfolio manager of PIMCO Active Bond ETF (BOND), said the space is big enough and valuable enough to overweight the sector. The $5.5 billion bond ETF's mission is to beat the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond index with a directive on monthly income, which makes it slightly different than most Pimco funds that focus on total return. Securitized credit by market value compromises 60.7% of BOND, with agency mortgages, such as those issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the biggest weight in that allocation. He said the nominal yield of current coupon agency mortgages is above the investment grade corporate bond index, the opposite of usual. Agency mortgages are higher quality, rated AA versus corporate bond index's BBB to A-minus and are more liquid. 'And you're getting the same or better spread. So, we think that's a great trade,' he said. BOND is also overweight non-agency mortgages, which don't have the government guarantee, AAA-tranche of collateralized loan obligations and consumer asset-backed mortgages, such as credit-card loans and auto loans. BOND also has a small holding in non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities, buying in that space selectively. High interest-rate volatility has dampened some enthusiasm for agency debt, and some investors continue to shy away from CMBS over worries about office and retail space, he said. However, these two asset classes are more attractive than investment-grade corporate bonds on a risk-adjusted view given a backdrop of likely slowing U.S. growth, corporate bonds' high valuations and continued uncertainty, he said, adding that the portfolio is positioned for resilience. 'We think diversifying in those five securitized sectors is a heck of a lot more intelligent from a risk-reward perspective than adding yield and income via just buying more triple-B corporates or high-yield corporates,' he said. BOND's allocation to corporate bonds and corporate spread duration is the lowest since Braun took over the strategy in 2017, at 22.8% by market value, he explained. The few corporate bonds in the portfolio are mostly financials, specifically systemically important banks in the U.S. and abroad. BOND's portfolio is slightly overweight duration—which measures interest-rate sensitivity—at 6.45 years, versus the Aggregate bond index. Braun said rates are attractive at this point. He also thinks the steepening between the two- and 10-year yield curve is healthy after being inverted for so long. The fund was positioned for that steepening and, he said, bond investors will benefit because roll-down comes back into play as it rolls down an upward sloping yield curve. 'The investor should get a higher total return than just their yield. Because you're rolling down to a lower rate, you get some capital appreciation as you roll down a curve,' he | © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved Sign in to access your portfolio
Hans India
7 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
India tops ChatGPT usage globally, signaling major AI-driven job shifts ahead
India has officially surpassed the United States to become the largest user base of ChatGPT, signaling a dramatic shift in how the country is adopting artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life and work. A recent report by venture capital firm BOND highlights how AI is rapidly reshaping workflows, redefining job roles, and transforming the future of work across sectors. During a recent tech event in Bengaluru, attendees were welcomed by a robot—not a human—demonstrating just how seamlessly AI is being integrated into real-world environments in India. From fluent English-speaking bots to AI-powered workflows in offices, the landscape is evolving quickly. According to the Trends – Artificial Intelligence report, Indians are adapting to AI tools faster than anyone else. ChatGPT adoption in India has now overtaken the U.S., and the country also ranks high in usage of other AI tools like DeepSeek, following only China and Russia—where ChatGPT access is restricted. This rapid uptake is more than a trend—it's a signal of readiness for AI-led work models. The report further notes a 448% increase in AI-related job postings in the U.S. since 2018, while traditional tech roles saw a 9% decline. This suggests a growing demand for AI proficiency across industries. Enterprises are already seeing major benefits. Bank of America's virtual assistant 'Erica' has handled over two billion customer queries, while JP Morgan is leveraging AI across functions—from fraud detection to creative brainstorming—with up to 65% gains in productivity. Yum! Brands, owners of KFC and Pizza Hut, have implemented 'Byte by Yum!' to streamline operations from inventory to staffing. Healthcare is also undergoing an AI transformation. At Kaiser Permanente, doctors now use ambient AI scribes to document consultations in real-time, enabling more direct patient care. As per NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, 'AI is now part of infrastructure,' equating AI data centers to the factories of the modern age. India's enthusiasm for AI adoption positions it as a global leader in this transformation. But as AI tools become smarter and more ubiquitous, organizations and individuals alike will need to adapt quickly—either evolve, collaborate with AI, or risk being left behind.
The Sun
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Treasure trove of every Bond film coming to hit TV app on June 1 – and all 25 movies will be available to watch
Sean Keach, Head of Technology and Science Published: Invalid Date, BOND fans are set for a summer of spying as a treasure trove of films lands on British TV screens. A top TV app will be serving up 25 James Bond movies – right from Sean Connery's Dr. No up to Daniel Craig 's No Time to Die. 5 The former released in 1962 while the latter in 2021, which means there's nearly 60 years of cinema up for grabs. It's set to be available on MGM+, a lesser-known but increasingly popular streaming service. The selection of Bond flicks is due to go live on the app from June 1, 2025. And it'll be available for a limited period across 32 countries, including the UK. Sadly, MGM+ (owned by Amazon) isn't free – you'll need to purchase it as an add-on to Prime Video for £5.99 a month. That means you already need to have Amazon Prime Video itself. You can get that through a regular £8.99 Amazon Prime membership, or as a standalone service for £5.99. So the cheapest way to get MGM+ on a monthly basis – without any promotional offers, trials, or student discounts – is to pay £11.98. It's possible to claim a seven-day free trial right now as a new subscriber, however. "This collection features thrilling 007 missions," MGM+ explains. No Time To Die - Full trailer for Daniel Craig's last outing as 007 James Bond "Witness the evolution of cinema's greatest spy through the decades. "From Cold War classics and high-stakes glamour to gritty modern thrills. Including the unforgettable cars, gadgets, villains, and Bond Women that made cinematic history." MGM+ called it the "ultimate spy saga", adding: "Six legendary actors. Sixty years of ground-breaking action. One unforgettable hero." Here's the full list of Bond movies coming to MGM+: 5 Dr. No From Russia with Love Goldfinger Thunderball You Only Live Twice On Her Majesty's Secret Service Diamonds Are Forever Live and Let Die The Man with the Golden Gun The Spy Who Loved Me Moonraker For Your Eyes Only Octopussy A View to Kill The Living Daylights Licence to Kill GoldenEye Tomorrow Never Dies The World Is Not Enough Die Another Day Casino Royale Quantum of Solace Skyfall Spectre No Time to Die The Bond flicks were previously available on Amazon Prime Video. But in 2024, they arrived on ITVX instead, and were totally free to watch. Sadly the entire collection wasn't available on-demand. Individual movies would only be made temporarily available after single airings. HOW MUCH DOES AMAZON PRIME COST? Here's what you need to know about Amazon Prime pricing in the UK... A standard Amazon Prime membership costs £8.99 a month – that's £107.88 over the course of a year. If you pay annually, you'll be billed £95 instead. For TV fans who just want Amazon Prime Video without a full Prime membership, it'll cost you £5.99 a month, working out at £71.88 for the year. Students can get discounted Amazon Prime, with the monthly cost reduced to £4.49 (or £53.88 over the course of a year). And for students who pay annually, the one-off yearly fee is £47.49. Picture Credit: Amazon 5 Now they're moving across to Prime Video, but you'll need to pay for the app and MGM+ on top. The Sun recently revealed the .
