Episode 360: Global Fixed Income and Insurance Portfolios

Brendan Murphy and Jim Kaniclides of Insight Investment join the InsuranceAUM.com podcast to explore how global fixed income can play a larger role in insurance portfolios. In the conversation with host Stewart Foley, they explain the size and structure of the global bond market, why U.S. insurers remain heavily concentrated in domestic fixed income, and how currency hedging can potentially turn global diversification into a source of additional yield rather than added cost. They also discuss how insurers can access global fixed income through familiar portfolio structures, where relative value may exist across developed markets, and what risks could create headwinds for a global allocation. The episode offers a practical look at portfolio construction, accounting considerations, and the ways insurers can broaden their opportunity set while staying within investment grade and core fixed income frameworks.