Institutional Investor’s first annual Global Fixed-Income Research Team brings together the best fixed-income research providers for developed and emerging markets across the U.S., Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
About 3,600 bond and credit specialists from 1,200 asset managers weighed in to determine the top research providers in each region — and the best firms globally.
Bank of America Merrill Lynch debuted at the top of the inaugural global leaderboard, with its fixed-income analysts collecting a total of 102 team positions across the six regions and more than 100 macroeconomic and credit sectors included in the survey. JPMorgan Chase & Co. followed close behind in second place, with 98 team positions. Citigroup placed third.
To select the members of our inaugural Global Fixed Income Team, Institutional Investor solicited the opinions of bond and credit specialists at leading asset management firms around the world. We received responses from 3,600 investment professionals at 1,200 institutions.
Expanded macro sectors were polled by region for the U.S., Europe, Latin America, Japan, Asia ex-Japan, and Emerging EMEA. Credit sectors were polled for the U.S. and Europe. Additionally, two global sectors were polled.
Participants first rated their top firms in regional sectors on a scale from 1-5, and then separately rated individual analysts or economists/strategists at those firms to create two distinct results for each sector. A numerical score was produced by weighting each vote based on the respondent’s fixed-income AUM for the region voted in and the ratings awarded.
Using those scores, ranks were then determined. Firms/analysts were designated runners‐up when their scores came within 35 percent of the third-place scores.
In the Investment-Grade and High-Yield categories only those analysts who publish independent research pursuant to Regulation AC or as defined by the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority are eligible to be recognized. No such restriction applies in Economics and Strategy sectors.
The individuals surveyed are kept confidential to ensure continuing cooperation. Voters must meet eligibility requirements, and winners must achieve a minimum vote count.