MINNEAPOLIS — RBC Global Asset Management-U.S. has secured its second straight victory in a prestigious industry accolade, highlighting the strong performance of one of its key bond funds amid a challenging landscape for fixed-income investments.
The firm announced on April 6, 2026, that its RBC BlueBay Core Plus Bond Fund (ticker: RCPRX) received the 2026 U.S. LSEG Lipper Fund Award for "Best Core Plus Bond Fund." The award recognizes the fund's investment excellence over a three-year period, evaluated based on risk-adjusted performance among 69 competing Core Plus Bond Funds for the timeframe ending November 30, 2025.
This marks the second consecutive year for the honor. In 2025, the same fund earned the award for its performance over the three years ending November 30, 2024, in a field of 70 funds. The Lipper Awards, established more than three decades ago, are known for their rigorous, independent assessment of fund performance using proprietary quantitative methods that focus on consistent risk-adjusted returns over three-, five-, and 10-year horizons relative to peers.
"This award reflects the dedication and experience of our BlueBay U.S. Fixed Income team," said Stu Kedwell, Global Chief Investment Officer at RBC Global Asset Management. "Our active management and disciplined investment strategies reflect our ongoing commitment to pursue strong, consistent results for our investors. This recognition, for the second year in a row, is an honor for the team."
The award was formally presented to representatives from RBC Global Asset Management during the 2026 United States LSEG Lipper Fund Awards ceremony held in New York City on March 11. Such ceremonies bring together industry leaders to celebrate standout performers in various asset classes, underscoring the competitive nature of mutual fund management.
RBC Global Asset Management-U.S., based in Minneapolis, operates as the adviser for the RBC Funds Trust, with distribution handled by Quasar Distributors, LLC. Securities related to the funds are offered through RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, which is a member of NYSE, FINRA, and SIPC. The firm emphasizes active management in its approach, particularly in fixed-income strategies like the BlueBay Core Plus Bond Fund, which invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade and some high-yield bonds to balance yield and risk.
Core Plus Bond Funds, as a category, typically aim to outperform traditional core bond benchmarks by incorporating modest allocations to higher-yielding sectors such as high-yield bonds, emerging market debt, or non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities. According to Lipper data underlying the awards, the RBC BlueBay fund's risk-adjusted returns stood out in a period marked by fluctuating interest rates and economic uncertainty following global events like the ongoing recovery from inflationary pressures in the early 2020s.
The Lipper methodology, developed by London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), avoids subjective judgments by relying solely on historical performance metrics. Funds are ranked within their peer groups, and winners are those with the highest consistent returns after adjusting for volatility. This year's evaluation period for the three-year award captured a time when U.S. Treasury yields rose significantly, testing the resilience of bond portfolios.
Industry observers note that repeat winners like the RBC BlueBay fund are rare in the volatile fixed-income space. For context, the broader bond market has faced headwinds from the Federal Reserve's rate-hiking cycle that began in 2022 and tapered into 2025, leading to negative returns for many funds in 2022 before a rebound. According to Lipper's broader reports, Core Plus Bond Funds as a group averaged annual returns of around 2-3% over the evaluated three-year period, though exact figures for peers are not publicly detailed beyond the award criteria.
RBC Global Asset Management, part of the larger Royal Bank of Canada ecosystem, manages billions in assets across various strategies. The U.S. arm, RBC GAM-U.S., focuses on mutual funds tailored for American investors, with the BlueBay Core Plus Bond Fund serving as a flagship offering in its fixed-income lineup. Investors can access more details on the fund's holdings, performance, and fees through the firm's website at usmutualfunds.rbcgam.com/us.
Beyond investment performance, RBC GAM highlights its commitment to community engagement. The firm supports a range of initiatives through donations, community investments, and employee volunteerism, as outlined on rbc.com/peopleandplanet. This corporate social responsibility angle aligns with broader industry trends where asset managers increasingly tie success to societal impact.
The award comes at a time when fixed-income investors are navigating expectations of potential rate cuts in 2026, following signals from the Federal Reserve. Analysts from various firms, including those cited in recent Bloomberg reports, suggest that funds with strong risk management—like those recognized by Lipper—may be well-positioned for any shifts in the yield curve. However, past performance, as always, does not guarantee future results, a standard disclaimer in fund disclosures.
While the press release from RBC GAM provides the core details, cross-verification through Benzinga.com's coverage confirms the announcement's key elements without discrepancies. The story originates directly from the company via PRNewswire, and no conflicting reports have emerged from other financial news outlets as of the announcement date.
For those interested in the fund, Tony Catinella, a spokesperson for RBC GAM, can be reached at tony.catinella@rbc.com for further inquiries. As the investment landscape evolves, awards like the LSEG Lipper serve as benchmarks for investors seeking reliable options in an uncertain market.
Looking ahead, RBC GAM's continued focus on disciplined strategies could position it for further recognition. With the next award cycle already in motion, the firm's BlueBay team will aim to extend its streak, potentially influencing investor flows into Core Plus Bond Funds amid broader economic transitions.