More uncertainty on the direction of interest rates in 2026 and political feuding could leave a U.S. Federal Reserve in flux. For fixed income investors, this could create an ideal opportunity to diversify their core allocation with the Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN).
While the expectation is more rate cuts will occur, the pace and timing remains in question. Following three consecutive rate cuts to end 2025, the Fed projected that only one rate cut was in store for 2026. Rumblings of a new Fed chair could certainly change that one-cut narrative to additional cuts happening quickly and swiftly. Again, this only feeds into uncertainty. It leaves income investors flummoxed as to how best to position their portfolios strategically in 2026.
Yield And Then Some
Whether rate cuts happen or not, fixed income investors are seeking just that: income. That said, high yield has become a more plausible option as credit spreads have been tightening. This signals greater confidence in the high yield market, allowing investors to dial up their penchant for risk in order to attain that extra yield. With a 30-day SEC yield of 6.01% (as of 1/14/26), this is where BKLN shines. Further rate cuts could leave investors scrambling for more yield to supplant lost fixed income and BKLN could help fill that void.
The fund tracks the Morningstar LSTA US Leveraged Loan 100 Index. This index includes the largest institutional leveraged loans based on market weightings, spreads and interest payments. BKLN focuses on secured senior loans, which are collateralized by a company’s assets. Senior loans were once the domain of only institutional and accredited investors. however, funds like BKLN provided access to retail investors with its inception in 2011.
Furthermore, these loans are prioritized for a return of capital to investors in the event of a default. While rate cuts aren’t expected this year, senior loans also have floating rate features that can help mitigate rate risk should the Fed unexpectedly pivot.
Early Interest in 2026
2025 was a strong year for fixed income ETFs and that strength should carry over into 2026. As of January 12, BKLN is garnering early interest with over half a billion inflows already in the early going of the new year. Active ETFs, in particular, had a strong showing in 2026, but the early interest in BKLN shows that passive funds can still occupy an important allocation in any portfolio.
Yield, income diversification, and floating rate flexibility all in the convenience of an ETF wrapper. Given this, BKLN should be on fixed income investors’ watch lists in 2026.
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