![[Background image] [CIL] World globe](https://carmignac.imgix.net/uploads/NextImage/0001/05/%5BMain-Media%5D-CIL.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces&fit=crop&w=3840)
Carmignac Investissement Latitude: Letter from the Fund Manager - Q1 2026
During the first quarter of 2026, Carmignac Investissement Latitude posted a performance of -1.87%, underperforming its reference indicator, which declined by -0.42%2.
Market environment
The central event of the past quarter was, of course, the war in Iran, notably due to its impact on oil prices following the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. Market reactions, aside from the surge in oil prices, which rose by 80% over the course of five days, remained relatively contained.
In equity markets, between the eve of the Iranian attack and the market trough, U.S. equities declined by 9%, European equities by 13%, and emerging markets by 15%. Over the same period, 10-year yields rose by 50 basis points in the United States and 45 basis points in Europe, while the U.S. dollar appreciated by 3.5% against the euro. At the same time, inflation increased by 0.9% in the United States and 0.8% in Europe.
Markets did not, however, panic and began to recover at the first signs of a potential truce or an end to the conflict.
Concerns observed in March were gradually offset by very strong corporate earnings growth prospects. The decline in equity indices, combined with upward revisions to earnings expectations, led to a notable compression in price-to-earnings ratios, encouraging investors to re-enter the market despite an uncertain geopolitical backdrop.
How did we fare in this context?
This period was not particularly favourable for Carmignac Investissement Latitude. Whilst the fund was appropriately positioned to mitigate the impact of the market downturn, there was only partial success in benefiting from this phase of decline, which was marked by elevated volatility.
This market correction took place against a backdrop of a structural rise in oil prices, whose volatility was largely driven by statements from the U.S. President. This exogenous environment created a highly binary dynamic, making it difficult to maintain strong convictions in defensive positions.
As a result, in March, Carmignac Investissement Latitude’s reference indicator declined by -2.40%, while the fund limited its loss to -1.84%, significantly reducing the drawdown of the master fund, notably thanks to strong gains from hedging strategies implemented on the Nasdaq, the S&P 500, and the Kospi.
Over the full quarter, Carmignac Investissement Latitude posted a decline of -1.87%, compared with -0.42% for its reference indicator.
Outlook
In the coming months, the portfolio manager will consider the willingness of market participants to anticipate a swift resolution of the conflict in Iran, as well as a normalization of economic trends, characterized by contained inflation and relatively solid growth. This scenario reflects a context in which policymakers appear reluctant to take the risk of a recession that could potentially trigger a debt crisis.
However, the portfolio manager will also factor in inflationary risks linked to supply chain disruptions, particularly due to the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the growing reluctance of the rest of the world to finance U.S. deficits. This dynamic is expected to translate, over time, into higher interest rates and a weaker U.S. dollar.
In this environment, equity hedges will be adjusted to enable a more targeted allocation toward U.S. assets and the dollar, with the objective of offering unitholders the best possible risk-return profile.
1EUR Flexible Allocation - Global.
2Reference indicator : 50% MSCI AC World NR index + 50% €STR Capitalized index.

