Alternative strategies

Carmignac Portfolio Merger Arbitrage Plus

Global marketArticle 8
Share Class

LU2585801256

An active absolute return strategy focusing on merger arbitrage opportunities
  • An active merger arbitrage strategy that aims to provide positive absolute returns, with limited correlation to equity markets.
  • An alternative strategy focusing on officially announced M&A deals in the developed markets.
  • Strategy offering positive correlation with interest rates.
Risk Indicator

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Lowest risk Highest risk
Recommended Minimum Investment Horizon
3 years
Cumulative Performance since launch
+ 11.2 %
-
-
-
+ 5.2 %
From 14/04/2023
To 07/04/2026
Calendar Year Performance 2025
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+ 2.8 %
+ 3.1 %
+ 4.0 %
Net Asset Value
111.24 €
Asset Under Management
246 M €
Net Equity Exposure27/02/2026
99.8 %
SFDR - Fund Classification

Article

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Data as of:  Apr 7, 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.

The strategy in a nutshell

Discover the Fund’s main features and benefits through the words of the Fund Managers.
Fund Management Team
The advantage of Merger Arbitrage strategy is that it carries virtually no market risk. The only associated risk is that of a deal failure. That is why our approach is very cautious on two levels: we’re very selective in choosing the deals and we aim to maintain a highly diversified portfolio.
View Fund's characteristics

Carmignac Portfolio Merger Arbitrage Plus fund performance

Take a look at the Fund's performance supported by our Fund managers’ market commentary and strategy insight.

Our monthly comments

Data as of:  Mar 31, 2026.
Fund management team

Market environment

  • March was marked by a notable decline in both equity and credit markets. The main drivers were concerns around the private credit market and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
  • The Merger Arbitrage strategy, when implemented without directional equity or credit bias as we do at Carmignac, demonstrated its resilience in these particularly volatile market conditions.
  • More specifically, some merger arbitrage spreads (Norfolk Southern, Warner Bros Discovery and Webster Financial) widened slightly at the beginning of the month, mainly for technical liquidity reasons.
  • However, in the second half of the month, spreads tightened broadly as several significant transactions reached completion (Onestream, Exact Sciences, Tegna).
  • In this objectively more uncertain environment, M&A activity measured by the number of transactions declined in March compared to the previous month, with 18 new deals announced versus 29 in February.
  • That said, total deal value increased, reaching €145bn compared with €121bn in the previous month. Notably, several large transactions were announced in Europe, including Commerzbank (€27bn), Telecom Italia (€18bn) and Beazley (€9bn).
  • The takeover battle for Janus Henderson likely reached its conclusion with the improved offer from Trian ($52 vs $49 per share initially) and the withdrawal of Victory Capital.
  • Finally, it is worth noting the failure of a small U.S. transaction, the acquisition of Lensar by Alcon, due to antitrust pressure.

Performance commentary

  • The fund delivered a positive performance over the month.
  • The main contributors to performance were Cantaloupe, Electronic Arts, and Exact Sciences.
  • The main negative contributors to performance were Norfolk Southern, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Chart Industries.

Outlook strategy

  • The fund’s investment rate stands at 112%.
  • With 55 positions in the portfolio, diversification remains very strong.
  • 2025 marked a genuine rebound in M&A activity, with deal value up 44% and the number of transactions increasing by 12% compared with 2024.
  • The primary driver of this renewed cycle has been a more favourable antitrust environment globally: the change in U.S. administration following Trump’s election; the publication of the Draghi report in Europe recommending the emergence of national champions to compete globally; U.K. regulators being encouraged by policymakers to prioritise economic activity; and the Japanese market continuing to open up to foreign capital.
  • Lower interest rates have also been a key catalyst for the recovery in M&A activity, enabling the return of private equity funds, which accounted for around 26% of buyers in 2025.
  • Another notable and perhaps the most encouraging development has been the return of mega-deals (transactions exceeding $10bn). Their cumulative value in 2025 was twice that observed in 2024, and the momentum has remained strong this year.
  • Despite a more uncertain environment than at the start of the year, we believe M&A activity should remain robust in the coming quarters, supported by a more favourable global antitrust backdrop and still attractive credit conditions for strategic growth transactions.

Performance Overview

Data as of:  Apr 7, 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.
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.
Source: Carmignac at 08/04/2026

Carmignac Portfolio Merger Arbitrage Plus Portfolio overview

Below is an overview of the composition of the portfolio.

Geographical Breakdown

Data as of:  Feb 27, 2026.
North America74.8 %
Europe ex-EUR10.3 %
Others9.0 %
Europe EUR5.7 %
View details

Key figures

Below are the key figures for the Fund, which will give you a clearer idea of the Fund's management and equity positioning.

Exposure Data

Data as of:  Feb 27, 2026.
Net Equity Exposure99.8 %
Number of long strategies55
Merger arbitrage exposure117.9 %
Cash and other8.9 %

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The reference to a ranking or prize, is no guarantee of the future results of the UCIS or the manager.
Carmignac Portfolio is a sub-fund of Carmignac Portfolio SICAV, an investment company under Luxembourg law, conforming to the UCITS Directive.
The information presented above is not contractually binding and does not constitute investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Performances are net of fees (excluding possible entrance fees charged by the distributor), where applicable. Investors may lose some or all of their capital, as the capital in the UCI is not guaranteed. Access to the products and services presented herein may be restricted for some individuals or countries. Taxation depends on the situation of the individual. The risks, fees and recommended investment period for the UCI presented are detailed in the KIDs (key information documents) and prospectuses available on this website. The KID must be made available to the subscriber prior to purchase.). The reference to a ranking or prize, is no guarantee of the future results of the UCITS or the manager.