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Carmignac Portfolio Emergents: Letter from the fund manager

[Management Team] [Author] Hovasse Xavier
Author(s)
Xavier HOVASSE
Published on
February 6, 2025
Read time
3 minute(s) read

In 2024, Carmignac Portfolio Emergents posted a performance of +5.5% (F EUR Acc share class - ISIN LU0992626480), compared with +14.7% for its reference indicator (MSCI Emerging Markets Index USD, net dividends reinvested)1.

2024 Review

2024 was a bad year for the Emerging Equities asset class, which underperformed developed markets for the fourth consecutive year.

Against this backdrop, the underperformance of the Fund vs. its indicator is mainly due to 3 factors:

  • Exposure to Latin America
  • Positioning in China
  • The disappointing performance of Samsung Electronics in Korea

The fund suffered from its exposure to Latin America (20% of the fund's net assets as of 31/12/2024), particularly Brazil and Mexico. After the invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Brazilian and Mexican assets performed very well for two years. In 2024, however, they were penalized by political issues, which are often the Achilles' heel of countries in this region. After the sell-off, our Brazilian assets are very attractively valued, like our investments in electricity concessions, which offer yields of up to 21% in Brazilian real, even though inflation is around 5%2.

As for Mexico, we were penalized by the weakness of the bank Grupo Banorte, as well as the industrial property company Vesta, both of which suffered from the sell-off of Mexican markets following the judicial reform adopted by the new president Claudia Sheinbam, and the uncertainties surrounding the US elections and their impact on the Mexican economy. However, Claudia Sheibaum has shown her willingness to work with the US administration to preserve the economic interests of both countries, which we believe will help the rebound of Mexican assets given that the economy has decent fundamentals.

As for China, although the Chinese markets performed relatively well in 2024, our stock selection contributed negatively to performance. Indeed, in 2024, the market was driven upwards by index heavyweights Tencent, Meituan and state-owned banks. We avoid leaders with dominant market shares such as Tencent or Meituan, due to the Chinese government's stated desire to promote competition by avoiding dominant positions. And we exclude all state-owned companies whose corporate governance leads to conflicts of interest which, in the long run, are usually unfavorable to minority investors. It should be noted that our stock selection in China has been a major driver of performance over the past 5 years (contribution of 57% vs -9% for the Chinese stocks of the index)3 and that 2024 is therefore an exception. After the strong rebound of Chinese markets following the economic stimulus announcements in October 2024, we reduced our Chinese exposure to 23.4% of the Fund, focusing on our strongest convictions.

Finally, the Fund suffered from the disappointing performance of Samsung Electronics. The stock declined primarily due to the weakness of the DRAM / NAND cycle4 and also due to the fact that its competitor SK Hynix, gained market share thanks to its lead in the sophisticated memory chip manufacturing (HBM products), further diminishing Samsung's share value despite its strong financial performance earlier in the year. We were also disappointed by our holdings in Hyundai Motor and LG Chem during the period.

However, worth highlighting, the solid rebound of our Taiwanese technology stocks (TSMC, Elite Material) and our Indian positions (ICICI Lombard, Kotak) recorded excellent performances, underpinning the Fund's performance in 2024.

Outlook & Positioning

After 2024, a year marked by the underperformance of emerging markets relative to US markets, we remain constructive on EM equities because we believe current valuations reflect a very pessimistic scenario, which we do not adhere to. We believe that the economic decoupling between the US and China will not have the negative consequences expected by the market. China's exports to the US account for ~13% of total Chinese exports. China's exports to the US account for no more than 13% of total Chinese exports. And every year, China moves a little closer to total autonomy in all areas, including the strategic field of high technology.

In China, after having an in-line exposure over the whole year, we trimmed aggressively in mid-October after the big rally that happened after the announcements of stimulus. We maintain a measured allocation to China with an underweight positioning versus our reference indicator. We are maintaining a significant allocation to India, where the long-term outlook remains promising. However, stretched valuations and technical factors call for a more selective approach.

We continue to have significant exposure to the AI theme, and we increased our exposure to this theme with the addition of the world leading Korean semiconductor company SK Hynix, specialized in manufacturing the most sophisticated memory chips.

After a difficult 2024 marked by political problems, we remain constructive on our Latin America. We believe that Brazilian assets are very attractively valued, like our investments in electricity concessions (Eletrobras), which offer yields of up to 21% in Brazilian real. As for Mexico, the markets suffered from fears over the judicial reform carried out by the new president Claudia Sheinbaum and then by the election of Trump, But Claudia Sheibaum has recently shown a willingness to work with the US administration to preserve the economic interests of both countries, which gives us cause for optimism for 2025.

More generally, we are maintaining a concentrated portfolio with balanced exposure, combining quality, high-visibility stocks (Asian tech stocks, India) with companies trading at very attractive valuations (China, Brazil).

1Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Performances are net of fees (excl. possible entrance fees charged by the distributor). The return may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations. The fund presents a risk of capital loss.
2Sources: Company data, Bloomberg, 31/12/2024.
3Sources: Carmignac, MSCI, Bloomberg. Returns of Carmignac Emergents’ Chinese stocks versus the returns of MSCI EM’s Chinese stocks from 31/12/2019 to 31/12/2024.
4DRAM: Dynamic Random Access Memory, NAND: flash memory (NOT AND).

Carmignac Portfolio Emergents

Grasping the most promising opportunities within the emerging universe
Discover the fund page

Carmignac Portfolio Emergents F EUR Acc

ISIN: LU0992626480
Recommended minimum investment horizon
5 years
Risk indicator*
4/7
SFDR - Fund Classification**
Article 9

*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

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.
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.
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.
Discretionary Management: Anticipations of financial market changes made by the Management Company have a direct effect on the Fund's performance, which depends on the stocks selected.
The Fund presents a risk of loss of capital. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus to view the exhaustive list of risks.

Fees

ISIN: LU0992626480
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
1,15% 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
0,39% 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: LU0992626480
Carmignac Portfolio Emergents+16,5+23,6+5,5+9,8−14,3−10,3+44,9+25,5−18,2+19,8
Reference Indicator+19,4+17,8+14,7+6,1−14,9+4,9+8,5+20,6−10,3+20,6
Carmignac Portfolio Emergents+16,9%+6,1%+8,0%
Reference Indicator+20,1%+7,7%+8,0%

Source: Carmignac at Oct 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.
The return may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations, for the shares which are not currency-hedged.

Reference Indicator: MSCI EM NR index

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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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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.

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  • 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.

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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.