Carmignac P. EM Debt: Letter from the Fund Managers

Published on
17 October 2023
-1.88%Carmignac P. EM Debt’s performance in the 3rd quarter of 2023 for the FW EUR Share class
-0.94%Reference indicator’s performance in the 3rd quarter of 2023 for JP Morgan GBI – Emerging Markets Global Diversified Composite Unhedged EUR Index
+4.78%3-year annualized performance versus +0.68% for the reference indicator over the period

Carmignac P. EM Debt lost -1.88% in the third quarter of 2023, while its reference indicator1 was down -0.94%.

Market environment

The third quarter of 2023 has been characterized by higher global rates and a volatile environment. Indeed, despite the potential last rate hike from the European Central Bank (ECB) and a pause from the Federal Reserve (Fed), the hawkish speeches from central bankers pushed the 10-year Treasury from around 3.84% to over 4.57%, and the German 10-year from around 2.39% to over 2.84%, reaching the highest levels of the year. Indeed, energy, which was one of the main sources of disinflation, is therefore set to become a positive contributor to price rises again by the end of the year, following the decision by the OPEP (mainly driven by Russia and Saudi Arabia) to extend their production cuts. This will penalize household purchasing power, but will also slow inflation's return to the central banks' targets.

Germany and US 10-year rates evolution

Sources: Carmignac, Bloomberg, 30/09/2023

In terms of local rates, we continue to see rate cuts in the emerging market (EM) universe this quarter with notably Poland cutting by 75 basis points from 6.75% to 6%, surprising the market. The majority of Latin American countries have already begun to lower their rates, but they are doing so cautiously, as they are no longer in line with the Fed's policy of "higher rates for a longer period". In China, the disappointing reopening continues to linger. The country is faced with a more difficult international environment due to the desire of many nations to regain industrial sovereignty and the United States to hinder Chinese development. Investors grew more pessimistic about the country’s economic outlook.

GBI-EM Index (Local sovereign debt index) - Yield Evolution

Sources: Carmignac, Bloomberg, 30/09/2023

Furthermore on FX, EM currencies continued to attract investors. Commodity exporter currencies and high carry currencies like those in Latin America remained appealing. Nevertheless, a selective approach is still required, keeping an eye out for balance of payments and inflation trajectories. As an example, the CLP has experienced a decline for three consecutive months due to the challenges encountered by the Banco Central de Chile in maintaining stable interest rates, particularly in light of the rapid decline in inflation within the Chilean economy.

On sovereign credit, spreads remained stable over the period. Spreads were very tight in both the IG and HY spaces (distress names excluded) and the market kept a close eye on special situations such as in African countries. The sweet spot of this area remains in the BBs in which you can find the most attractive risk/reward opportunities.

J.P Morgan EMBIG diversified hedged EURO index (External sovereign debt index) - Spread

Sources: Carmignac, Bloomberg, 30/09/2023

What have we done in this context?

In this context we have mainly been impacted by our exposure to Local Rates in CZK, HUF, COP, MXN and CLP curves. The rise in US interest rates and the dollar, combined with the Chinese slowdown and rising inflation, have prompted us to reduce the risk in the portfolio. We notably reduced our exposure to the EMEA region, where valuations are not attractive as they were.
In the FX space we continue to enjoy the carry of EM FX currencies over the quarter. Nevertheless, on a risk management basis, we reduced our exposure to EM currencies and we continue to be selective and active in this segment. As an example, during the quarter we notably reduced our CZK exposure, which is directly impacted by oil imports. Following volatility peaks and increased in DM rates, we also increased our EUR exposure over the quarter.
On sovereign credit, we benefited from our exposure to the EMEA region, in particular through Romania. Lastly, over the period we increased on a tactical basis our exposure to Colombia as the country should benefit from the current trend on oil.

Outlook for the next months

Our view of recession and high rates is reflected in our portfolio construction, namely a large reduction of risky assets and a high level of CDS protections. We remain focused on duration with the view that a recession would force DM central banks to cut rates and thus enable further cuts in the EM world.
In Local Rates, we are closely monitoring EM Central banks to pursue their cutting cycles as the FED and ECB seem to have paused. We are ready to re-engage in countries which were among the most advanced in their rate hike cycle and in commodity exporters such as Colombia.
In Sovereign Credit, we continue to favour manufacturing countries that will benefit in the long term from the “nearshoring” phenomenon, i.e. the potential repatriation of production chains to closer and more stable countries (Romania, Poland, Mexico, etc.). Nevertheless, we remain cautious with protection against our HY names and will keep our positioning light and focused on the IG space.
Lastly, although we have reduced our global exposure to EM FX, we continue to favour a selection of currencies on a tactical/opportunist basis mainly in LATAM such as the Brazilian real and the Mexican peso.

Carmignac Portfolio EM Debt

Exploit fixed income opportunities across the entire emerging universeDiscover the fund page

Carmignac Portfolio EM Debt FW EUR Acc

ISIN: LU1623763734
Recommended minimum investment horizon
3 years
Risk indicator*
3/7
SFDR - Fund Classification**
Article 8

*Risk Scale from the KID (Key Information Document). Risk 1 does not mean a risk-free investment. This indicator may change over time. **The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) 2019/2088 is a European regulation that requires asset managers to classify their funds as either 'Article 8' funds, which promote environmental and social characteristics, 'Article 9' funds, which make sustainable investments with measurable objectives, or 'Article 6' funds, which do not necessarily have a sustainability objective. For more information please refer to https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/2088/oj.

Main risks of the fund

Emerging Markets: Operating conditions and supervision in "emerging" markets may deviate from the standards prevailing on the large international exchanges and have an impact on prices of listed instruments in which the Fund may invest.Interest Rate: Interest rate risk results in a decline in the net asset value in the event of changes in interest rates.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.Credit: Credit risk is the risk that the issuer may default.
The Fund presents a risk of loss of capital.

Fees

ISIN: LU1623763734
Entry costs
We do not charge an entry fee. 
Exit costs
We do not charge an exit fee for this product.
Management fees and other administrative or operating costs
1,05% of the value of your investment per year. This estimate is based on actual costs over the past year.
Performance fees
There is no performance fee for this product. 
Transaction Cost
0,57% 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.

Performance

ISIN: LU1623763734
Carmignac Portfolio EM Debt1.1-10.028.910.53.9-9.015.3
Reference Indicator0.4-1.515.6-5.8-1.8-5.98.9
Carmignac Portfolio EM Debt+ 3.1 %+ 5.6 %+ 5.6 %
Reference Indicator+ 2.4 %+ 0.4 %+ 1.9 %

Source: Carmignac at 30 Sep 2024.
​Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Performances are net of fees (excluding possible entrance fees charged by the distributor).

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