Carmignac

Carmignac Portfolio Flexible Bond : Letter from the Fund Managers

  • +5.31%
    Carmignac P. Flexible Bond’s performance

    in the 4th quarter of 2022 for the A EUR Share class

  • -0.82%
    Reference indicator’s performance

    in the 4th quarter of 2022 for ICE BofA ML Euro Broad index (EUR)

  • +8.89%
    Outperformance of the Fund

    as of end of the year versus its reference indicator

Carmignac Portfolio Flexible Bond delivered a very positive return (+5.33% on class A shares) in the fourth quarter of 2022, considerably outperforming its reference indicator (ICE BofA ML Euro Broad Index (EUR)), which lost -0.82%.

The Bond Market Today

The fourth quarter was marked by the first signs of a reversal in macroeconomic trends. While employment levels remained robust, especially in the US, and both consumer spending and manufacturing output proved highly resilient, confidence indicators were down sharply. And even though inflation was still high, it fell during the quarter, suggesting it has probably peaked.

Central banks – most notably the US Federal Reserve and the ECB – tightened monetary policy further in Q4 but indicated that the time has come to ease the pace of rate hikes. The Bank of Japan surprised analysts by expanding the range in its yield curve control policy sooner than expected.

European sovereign-bond yields rose sharply during the quarter, but perhaps the most surprising development was the steep rally in risk assets. Investors’ risk appetite returned with the prospect of slower rate hikes, coupled with the decline in energy prices and China’s reopening after Beijing lifted its zero-Covid policy. In fixed income, this was reflected in narrowing spreads on corporate bonds and, to a lesser extent, on sovereign debt in emerging markets and the eurozone periphery.

Asset Allocation

We adjusted our asset allocation in Q3 in response to the changing market climate.

  • We substantially reduced the portfolio’s modified duration. We decided to focus our short positions on German and Italian rates, given that real interest rates in these countries are still negative and the ECB has no choice but to keep tightening monetary policy; it could even follow in the Fed’s and BoE’s footsteps and start shrinking its balance sheet. We also added a short position on Japanese rates, since inflation in the country – already record-breaking – should keep climbing, amid tensions between the Japanese government and central bank.

  • We continued to increase our credit-market exposure. Prices are even more attractive now that credit spreads have stabilised at high levels. We therefore reinforced our positions on the strongest convictions in our portfolio: European financial debt, high-yield corporate bonds, collateralised loan obligations, and EM debt. Because we believe the credit market will remain volatile, we decided to keep a substantial level of protection (around 12%, consisting of CDSs).

Outlook

Credit spreads currently sit at levels consistent with our view that the risk of default has been overestimated and that bonds are trading at attractive prices. We believe the slower pace of monetary tightening will dampen volatility in fixed income, creating an auspicious climate for carry strategies. We have accordingly built up a diversified portfolio allocation covering all segments of the credit market, with a preference for subordinated financial debt, high-yield corporate bonds (particularly in the energy sector), and EM debt.

Our modified duration is positive because we believe most of the yield-curve correction is behind us. We doubt central banks will need to lift rates higher than what’s already anticipated by the market given the likelihood of a deceleration in both GDP growth and inflation. We’re cautious on longer-dated maturities since the market may have trouble absorbing the record volume of new bond issues that’s expected in early 2023.

Source: Carmignac, Bloomberg, 31/12/2022. Performance of the A EUR Acc share class ISIN code: LU1744628287. ¹Reference Indicator: 40% STOXX Europe 600 (Reinvested Net Dividends) + 40% ICE BofA All Maturity All Euro Government + 20% ESTER capitalized. Quarterly Rebalanced. Until 31/12/2021, the reference indicator was 50% STOXX Europe 600, 50% BofA Merrill Lynch All Maturity All Euro Government Index. The performances are presented using the chaining method. Risk Scale from the KID (Key Investor Information Document). Risk 1 does not mean a risk-free investment. This indicator may change over time. *Launch date: 29/12/2017.

Carmignac Portfolio Flexible Bond

A flexible solution aiming to capture bond opportunities globally

Discover the fund page

Carmignac Portfolio Flexible Bond A EUR Acc

ISIN: LU0336084032

Recommended minimum investment horizon

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Main risks of the Fund

INTEREST RATE: Interest rate risk results in a decline in the net asset value in the event of changes in interest rates.

CREDIT: Credit risk is the risk that the issuer may default.

CURRENCY: Currency risk is linked to exposure to a currency other than the Fund’s valuation currency, either through direct investment or the use of forward financial instruments.

EQUITY: The Fund may be affected by stock price variations, the scale of which is dependent on external factors, stock trading volumes or market capitalization.

The Fund presents a risk of loss of capital.

Carmignac Portfolio Flexible Bond A EUR Acc

ISIN: LU0336084032
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 (YTD)
?
Year to date
Carmignac Portfolio Flexible Bond A EUR Acc +1.98 % -0.71 % +0.07 % +1.65 % -3.40 % +4.99 % +9.24 % +0.01 % -8.02 % +4.67 % +1.00 %
Reference Indicator +0.10 % -0.11 % -0.32 % -0.36 % -0.37 % -2.45 % +3.99 % -2.80 % -16.93 % +6.82 % -1.42 %

Scroll right to see full table

3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Carmignac Portfolio Flexible Bond A EUR Acc -0.87 % +2.10 % +0.99 %
Reference Indicator -4.61 % -2.90 % -1.57 %

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Source : Carmignac at 29/02/2024

Entry costs : 1,00% of the amount you pay in when entering this investment. This is the most you will be charged. Carmignac Gestion doesn't charge any entry fee. The person selling you the product will inform you of the actual charge.
Exit costs : We do not charge an exit fee for this product.
Management fees and other administrative or operating costs : 1,20% of the value of your investment per year. This estimate is based on actual costs over the past year.
Performance fees : 20,00% when the share class overperforms the Reference indicator during the performance period. It will be payable also in case the share class has overperformed the reference indicator but had a negative performance. Underperformance is clawed back for 5 years. The actual amount will vary depending on how well your investment performs. The aggregated cost estimation above includes the average over the last 5 years, or since the product creation if it is less than 5 years.
Transaction Cost : 0,38% of the value of your investment per year. This is an estimate of the costs incurred when we buy and sell the investments underlying the product. The actual amount varies depending on the quantity we buy and sell.
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Marketing communication. Please refer to the KID/KIID, prospectus of the fund before making any final investment decisions. This document is intended for professional clients.

This material may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior authorisation from the Management Company. This material does not constitute a subscription offer, nor does it constitute investment advice. This material is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, accounting, legal or tax advice. This material has been provided to you for informational purposes only and may not be relied upon by you in evaluating the merits of investing in any securities or interests referred to herein or for any other purposes. The information contained in this material may be partial information and may be modified without prior notice. They are expressed as of the date of writing and are derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources deemed by Carmignac to be reliable, are not necessarily all-inclusive and are not guaranteed as to accuracy. As such, no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given and no responsibility arising in any other way for errors and omissions (including responsibility to any person by reason of negligence) is accepted by Carmignac, its officers, employees or agents.

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Performances are net of fees (excluding possible entrance fees charged by the distributor). The return may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations, for the shares which are not currency-hedged.

Reference to certain securities and financial instruments is for illustrative purposes to highlight stocks that are or have been included in the portfolios of funds in the Carmignac range. This is not intended to promote direct investment in those instruments, nor does it constitute investment advice. The Management Company is not subject to prohibition on trading in these instruments prior to issuing any communication. The portfolios of Carmignac funds may change without previous notice. The reference to a ranking or prize, is no guarantee of the future results of the UCIS or the manager.

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Access to the Funds may be subject to restrictions regarding certain persons or countries. This material is not directed to any person in any jurisdiction where (by reason of that person’s nationality, residence or otherwise) the material or availability of this material is prohibited. Persons in respect of whom such prohibitions apply must not access this material. Taxation depends on the situation of the individual. The Funds are not registered for retail distribution in Asia, in Japan, in North America, nor are they registered in South America. Carmignac Funds are registered in Singapore as restricted foreign scheme (for professional clients only). The Funds have not been registered under the US Securities Act of 1933. The Funds may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, for the benefit or on behalf of a «U.S. person», according to the definition of the US Regulation S and FATCA. The risks, fees and ongoing charges are described in the KID (Key Information Document). The KID must be made available to the subscriber prior to subscription. The subscriber must read the KID. Investors may lose some or all their capital, as the capital in the funds are not guaranteed. The Funds present a risk of loss of capital.

The Funds’ prospectus, KIDs, NAVs and annual reports are available at www.carmignac.com, or upon request to the Management Carmignac Portfolio refers to the sub-funds of Carmignac Portfolio SICAV, an investment company under Luxembourg law, conforming to the UCITS Directive. The French investment funds (fonds communs de placement or FCP) are common funds in contractual form conforming to the UCITS or AIFM Directive under French law.

  • In France, Luxembourg, Sweden: The risks, fees and ongoing charges are described in the KID (Key Information Document). The KID must be made available to the subscriber prior to subscription. The subscriber must read the KID. Investors may lose some or all their capital, as the capital in the funds are not guaranteed. The Funds present a risk of loss of capital. The Funds’ prospectus, KIDs, NAV and annual reports are available at www.carmignac.com, or upon request to the Management.

  • In the United Kingdom: the Funds’ respective prospectuses, KIIDs and annual reports are available at www.carmignac.co.uk, or upon request to the Management Company, or for the French Funds, at the offices of the Facilities Agent at BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES SERVICES, operating through its branch in London: 55 Moorgate, London EC2R. This document was prepared by Carmignac Gestion, Carmignac Gestion Luxembourg or Carmignac UK Ltd. FP Carmignac ICVC (the “Company”) is an Investment Company with variable capital incorporated in England and Wales under registered number 839620 and is authorised by the FCA with effect from 4 April 2019 and launched on 15 May 2019. FundRock Partners Limited is the Authorised Corporate Director (the “ACD”) of the Company and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Registered Office: Hamilton Centre, Rodney Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3BY, UK; Registered in England and Wales with number 4162989. Carmignac Gestion Luxembourg SA has been appointed as the Investment Manager and distributor in respect of the Company. Carmignac UK Ltd (Registered in England and Wales with number 14162894) has been appointed as a sub-Investment Manager of the Company and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with FRN:984288.

  • In Switzerland: the prospectus, KIDs and annual report are available at www.carmignac.ch, or through our representative in Switzerland, CACEIS (Switzerland), S.A., Route de Signy 35, CH-1260 Nyon. The paying agent is CACEIS Bank, Montrouge, Nyon Branch / Switzerland, Route de Signy 35, 1260 Nyon.

The Management Company can cease promotion in your country anytime. Investors have access to a summary of their rights in English on the following links: UK ; Switzerland ; France ; Luxembourg ; Sweden.