The next big buy in junk bonds: the US consumer

New York

SOME of the world's largest junk-bond investors are betting big on the US consumer.

Money managers including Pacific Investment Management Co (Pimco) and Prudential Financial Inc's PGIM are buying high-yield bonds tied to home builders, lumber, lodging, air travel and other parts of the US economy driven by retail customers. Some of these investors are cashing out of energy junk bonds, which have surged since mid-February, as part of the shift.