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European bank results for the first quarter of 2026 have revealed a strong start to the year, allaying some of the concern that the prolonged conflict in the Middle East might impact bank fundamentals to some extent.

Credit markets have been remarkably resilient in the face of significant geopolitical and macroeconomic volatility in recent weeks.

With the Middle East conflict clouding the outlook for inflation and interest rates, TwentyFour Asset Management’s Doug Charleston explains why asset-backed securities (ABS) could be a valuable diversifier for fixed income investors looking to deal with further volatility.

Since their introduction in 2013, AT1 bonds have acted as a valuable kicker for many fixed income funds, having consistently delivered excess return over more mainstream credit markets such as high yield bonds over the medium term.

With tensions in the Strait of Hormuz increasing over the weekend and markets getting used to oil prices well in excess of $100 per barrel, this seems an opportune moment to zoom out and look at the state of play in fixed income markets, considering the unsettling reality of a longer-than-expected conflict in the Middle East.

Last week, European regulators took another step in their long journey towards a single European banking regime, otherwise known as “banking union”.

Corporate hybrid issuance is on track for a record year in both Europe and the US, driven by expanding supply well beyond the traditional utilities, energy, and telecoms issuers.

Sharp swings in government and corporate bond markets since the onset of the Middle East conflict pose interesting questions for fixed income investors.

TwentyFour Asset Management’s Jack Daley reflects on a strong start to 2026 for investment grade credit, before geopolitical escalation in the Middle East drove increased volatility later in the quarter and shaped market conditions.

TwentyFour Asset Management’s Felicity Juckes discusses how geopolitics, inflation and shifting risk sentiment shaped fixed income markets in the first quarter of 2026, and why the focus has remained on high‑quality credit.

TwentyFour Asset Management's Aza Teeuwen reflects on a volatile start to 2026, and explains why European ABS continues to provide relative stability over the quarter, particularly in investment grade.

European high yield (HY) credit, which had proved resilient to start 2026 despite growing concerns over AI risks, came under pressure in March as the Iran war disrupted global trade and weighed heavily on risk appetite.