The Morningstar Investment Conference takes place in London on May 15-16 this year. In the lead up to the event, Morningstar analysts are previewing their expected highlights from the two days of presentations and panel debates. Anthony McDonald, senior investment research analyst with Morningstar OBSR, is particularly looking forward to hearing from Phil Milburn, investment manager - fixed income at Kames Capital.
At a time when global high yield bond markets are again attracting investor interest as a potential source of income in a low-interest rate world, it will be fascinating to hear Phil Milburn talk about the development of the European high yield market and give some insights into the nuts and bolts of managing a fund in the sector.
Over recent quarters, several fund managers have suggested to us that the combination of bank deleveraging and investor demand for high yield should help the European market reach a more mature stage in terms of breadth and depth. As an accomplished and experienced manager who has invested across the different phases of the market in building a strong track record with the Kames High Yield Bond fund over the past decade, it will be interesting to hear Milburn's views on this development. Moreover, his experience, combined with his strong and well-founded general opinions on investing, makes him ideally suited to sharing his thoughts on the opportunities and pitfalls associated with high yield fund management. In a sector where investments can turn sour very quickly, a manager's perspective on how to avoid and mitigate such issues, including recognising the under-appreciated risks that can lurk in certain issues, will be fascinating.
To register for the Morningstar Investment Conference 2012, please click here.