BlackRock anticipates that European credit spreads will stay within a range-bound pattern this year. The currently attractive yields on fixed-income assets are expected to counterbalance market concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI). In its first-quarter fixed-income outlook released on Tuesday, BlackRock noted that although corporate bond yield premiums are at their narrowest levels in years, real yields remain at decade-highs. Concurrently, corporate fundamentals continue to improve, with companies actively deleveraging and enhancing operational efficiency and profitability. James Turner, Head of Global Fixed Income for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at BlackRock, stated in an interview, "Realistically, achieving significant capital appreciation at current spread levels is challenging. However, by securely capturing coupon income and allowing it to compound over the long term, investors can achieve quite attractive returns, especially given the present yield environment." BlackRock highlighted that the average yield on European high-grade corporate bonds is approximately 3%, while inflation expectations remain stable below the European Central Bank's 2% target. This has pushed real yields to their highest levels in over a decade. This advantage continues to attract inflows into the asset class, with steady demand from both institutional and retail investors providing market support. Additionally, investors still hold significant cash reserves, leaving room for further allocation to credit assets. Turner believes that Europe's economic growth outlook, while not spectacular, remains positive, and regional interest rate conditions are stabilizing. He remarked, "This stable macroeconomic environment is highly favorable for fixed-income investors." However, BlackRock also cautioned that market performance will diverge. Some sectors and issuers may struggle to adapt to the widespread adoption of AI technology, which will create winners and losers both within and across industries. Turner advised, "Investors need to conduct deeper analysis to identify the best sources of yield." He suggested looking beyond investment-grade bonds to high-yield debt, emerging market bonds, and asset-backed securities to capture additional yield increments.