Carmignac P. Credit: Letter from the Fund Managers - Q2 2026
Carmignac Portfolio Credit was up +2.18% (A EUR Acc shareclass) during the second quarter of 2026 versus +2.67% for the reference indicator. The fund is up 1.15% year-to-date vs. +1.50% for the reference indicator for the same period.
Review of Q2 2026 performance
The -49bps underperformance versus the reference indicator during the second quarter more than entirely attributable to our hedging position via CDS on the Xover (EUR HY), which had a negative -98bps gross contribution over this period. A fair amount of this negative impact was due to the tightening of the Xover. Given the tight level where it is trading today, we expect a lesser impact in the second half of the year, which should be offset by the high carry of the fund (net of the cost of protection).
Taking some perspective, the fund is as conservatively positioned as it has ever been, with, on top of the hedging, a moderate gross 31.5% high yield exposure and more than 10% of the fund invested in very defensive high quality, short duration investment grade paper.
This positioning has a cost, as evidenced by second quarter performance, but we are entirely comfortable with our current defensive stance and we think it will offer us substantial opportunities to generate higher returns when the cycle turns, as it always inevitably does. Indeed, despite very tight average spread levels, we believe credit markets are now firmly in end of cycle mode. Defaults are rising in every corner of global credit, abundant liquidity notwithstanding, as the results of more than a decade of poor underwriting come home to roost. The recent stress created in global supply chains by the war in the Middle East has not been reflected in market spreads, despite lasting disruptions and the absence, for now, of a definitive resolution. The rapid progression in Large Language Models (LLMs) capabilities, especially in coding, is putting pressure on levered software businesses as well as, more generally, on low value-added services business models with weak barriers to entry and we expect it will create a wave of restructurings in the coming years. Private credit is witnessing an exodus of retail capital that is starting to force companies financed with private debt to refinance in the public space, which should put pressure on the “single B and lower rated” compartment of the high yield space. Finally, the CLO arbitrage feels broken at the moment, with senior tranche costs and loan returns leaving the junior part of new vintages CLOs capital structure in a fragile state.
The portfolio is built to withstand this buildup of multiple risks. Our credit selection is focused on asset rich business models that perform well in inflationary environments (energy and financials are our largest sectors). We have no exposure to software or businesses at risk from LLMs and we have drastically reduced our CLO exposure, with a focus on senior tranches of older vintages. We have of course zero exposure to private credit by construction and, as discussed above, we have a prudent positioning with 17.5% of hedges via the Xover, a moderate gross high yield exposure and a meaningful liquidity pocket. We keep the fund very diversified with more than 250 positions from more than 150 different issuers.
Although dispersion is trending down, we continue to find attractive risk rewards to build defensive carry and the fund is yielding at the moment 5.5% (c. 5.1% net of the cost of the hedging), for a BBB average rating. This carry should allow us to deliver a satisfactory return in the coming quarters even if present conditions persist. It should also protect us in the downside, in addition to our defensive portfolio construction, and allow us to capitalize on opportunities when the cycle turns.
Outlook
The late cycle regime is always the most painful one for value-minded investors. Patience and prudence are needed but they exact a temporary, albeit real, cost. We think credit selection and carry will help us mitigate part of that drag. More importantly, if there is one thing the portfolio managers take away from their study of history and their past two decades of investing, it is that, yes, credit markets can stay irrational for a long time, but the longer they do, the more attractive the opportunity set becomes when the cycle turns. 2005-2007 comes to mind of course but, without going that far back in time, 2016-2018 was also a difficult stretch for credit investors, with a lot of ebullience and tight spreads for years on end. The correction at the end of 2018 was, in retrospect, relatively short and mild, but it was enough for this fund to achieve its best year ever in 2019 with a high teens net return. Prudence had been a good investment then, and we expect it will be a good one going forward too.
Carmignac Portfolio Credit
Carmignac Portfolio Credit A EUR Acc
- Recommended minimum investment horizon
- 3 years
- Risk indicator*
- 2/7
- SFDR - Fund Classification**
- Article 6
*Risk Scale from the KID (Key Information Document). Risk 1 does not mean a risk-free investment. This indicator may change over time. **Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) 2019/2088. The SFDR classification of the Funds may change over time.
Main risks of the fund
Fees
- Entry costs
- 2,00 % 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
- 0,23 % 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
| Carmignac Portfolio Credit | +1,2 | +6,7 | +8,2 | +10,6 | −13,0 | +3,0 | +10,4 | +20,9 | +1,7 | +1,8 |
| Reference Indicator | +1,5 | +3,6 | +5,7 | +9,0 | −13,3 | +0,1 | +2,8 | +7,5 | −1,7 | +1,1 |
| Carmignac Portfolio Credit | +7,8 % | +2,4 % | +5,4 % |
| Reference Indicator | +5,7 % | +0,9 % | +1,6 % |
Source: Carmignac at Jun 30, 2026.
Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Performances are net of fees (excluding possible entrance fees charged by the distributor). The Fund presents a risk of loss of capital.
Reference Indicator: 75% ICE BofA Euro Corporate index + 25% ICE BofA Euro High Yield index. Quarterly rebalanced.
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.
Morningstar Rating™ : © Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; may not be copied or distributed; and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information.
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/en, 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 the United Kingdom: the Funds’ respective prospectuses, KIIDs and annual reports are available at www.carmignac.com/en-gb, or upon request to the Management Company, or for the French Funds, at the offices of the acilities Agent, Carmignac UK Ltd, 2 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AF. 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.com/en-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.
In Belgium: This document is intended for professional clients. This content has not been validated by FSMA. The decision to invest in the promoted fund should take into account all its characteristics or objectives as described in its prospectus. This communication is published by Carmignac Gestion S.A., a portfolio management company approved by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) in France, and its Luxembourg subsidiary Carmignac Gestion Luxembourg, S.A., an investment fund management company approved by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). “Carmignac” is a registered trademark. “Investing in your Interest” is a slogan associated with the Carmignac trademark. This document does not constitute advice on any investment or arbitrage of transferable securities or any other asset management or investment product or service. The information and opinions contained in this document do not take into account investors’ specific individual circumstances and must never be interpreted as legal, tax or investment advice. The information contained in this document may be partial and could be changed without notice. This document may not be reproduced in whole or in part without prior authorisation. The risks and fees are described in the KID (Key Information Document). The prospectus, KID, the net asset-values and the latest (semi-) annual management report may be obtained, free of charge, in French or in Dutch, from the management company (tel. +352 46 70 60 1) or by consulting its website or www.fundinfo.com. These materials may also be obtained from Caceis Belgium S.A., the financial service provider in Belgium, at the following address: avenue du port, 86c b320, B-1000 Brussels. The Fund (fonds commun de placement or FCP) is a common fund in contractual form conforming to the UCITS Directive under French law. Access to the Fund may be subject to restrictions regarding certain persons or countries. 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. In case of subscription to a fund subject to Article 19bis of the Belgian Income Tax Code (CIR92), the investor will have to pay, upon redemption of his or her shares, a withholding tax of 30% on the income (in the form of interest, or capital gains or losses) derived from the return on assets invested in debt claims. Distributions are subject to withholding tax of 30% without income distinction. In case of subscription in a French investment fund (fonds commun de placement or FCP), you must declare on tax form, each year, the share of the dividends (and interest, if applicable) received by the Fund. Any complaint may be referred to complaints@carmignac.com or CARMIGNAC GESTION - Compliance and Internal Controls - 24 place Vendôme Paris France or on the website www.ombudsfin.be.
The Management Company can cease promotion in your country anytime. Investors have access to a summary of their rights at section 5 entitled "summary of investor rights" on the following links: UK ; Switzerland ; France ; Luxembourg ; Sweden. Belgium (French) ; Belgium (Dutch)
For Carmignac Portfolio Long-Short European Equities: Carmignac Gestion Luxembourg SA in its capacity as the Management Company for Carmignac Portfolio, has delegated the investment management of this Sub-Fund to White Creek Capital LLP (Registered in England and Wales with number OCC447169) from 2nd May 2024. White Creek Capital LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with FRN : 998349.
Carmignac Private Evergreen refers to the Private Evergreen sub-fund of the SICAV Carmignac S.A. SICAV – PART II UCI, registered with the Luxembourg RCS under number B285278.