Carmignac P. EM Debt: Letter from the Fund Managers
indicator’s performance in the 4th quarter of 2023 for JP Morgan GBI – Emerging Markets Global Diversified Composite Unhedged EUR Index.
Carmignac P. EM Debt gained +6.12% in the fourth quarter of 2023, while its reference indicator1 rose by +3.79%. Over 2023, the Fund realized a positive performance of +15.26% versus +8.89% for its reference indicator1.
Market environment
The fourth quarter of 2023 has been characterized by a strong rally of global rates and a volatile environment. Indeed, having completed their rate hikes, both the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the European Central Bank (ECB) are now in a position where they can take a pause and assess the impact of their previous monetary policy tightening. Developed country yields eased sharply over the quarter, with the German Bund falling from 2.84% to 2.02% and the US 10-Year from 4.57% to 3.88%, after hitting the 5% level for the US. Regarding commodities, crude oil prices continued to decline, with Brent and WTI close to $75/b. Doubts about the credibility of OPEC+ production cuts and continued increased supply have contributed to the drop, which helps to allay fears of a spike in oil prices by 2024.
Germany and US 10-year rates evolution
In terms of local rates, we continue to see rate cuts in the emerging market (EM) universe this quarter, both in LATAM and in EMEA, including Hungary (-75 basis points), Chile (-75 basis points), Brazil (-50 basis points) and Peru (-25 basis points), but also new joiners such as Czech Republic (-25 basis points) and Colombia (-25 basis points). Although inflation remains above central bank targets for the time being, it is continuing to slow convincingly. Indeed, the disinflation process in EM is very powerful and central banks are expected to continue their rate-cutting cycles. In China, the disappointing reopening continues to linger. Country’s activity is stabilizing but at low levels and investors grew more pessimistic about the country’s economic outlook.
GBI-EM Index (Local sovereign debt index) - Yield Evolution
Furthermore on FX, EM currencies continued to attract investors. Commodity exporter 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, in Brazil the trade surplus is currently near historic highs and it has the highest real yield in the world close to 6%. Note that as the FED ended its hiking cycle, we should see downward pressure on the USD over the coming months, which should benefit to EM FX.
On sovereign credit, EM spreads tightened sharply during the quarter. Spreads are currently near historical tights especially in the investment grade space. The same is true for spreads in countries that have not defaulted or that are not at risk of default and the market kept a close eye on special situations such as in African countries.
J.P Morgan EMBIG diversified hedged EURO index (External sovereign debt index) - Spread
What have we done in this context?
After being very long in terms of duration, close to 800 basis points, and therefore benefiting from the rally in rates, we decided to reduce it close to 350 basis points. In this context, the fund has benefited from its exposure to local rates in countries like Czech Republic, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Peru and South Africa.
In the FX space we continue to enjoy the strong 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, at the end of the quarter we reinforced our exposure to the Japanese yen and the US dollar while taking some profits on our LATAM currencies such as the Brazilian real, Chilean Peso and Mexican Peso.
On sovereign credit, we benefited from our exposure to the EMEA and LATAM regions, in particular through Mexico, Colombia Romania and Egypt. Nevertheless, we reduced our exposure to this external debt over the period, following the rally and the expensive valuations.
Outlook for the next months
We are in the process of significant disinflation from the very high levels seen in the middle of last year in both the US and the Eurozone. Even if the Fed and ECB disappoint market expectations, we see there is an asymmetric potential for returns. We expect a very good year for EM returns given our base case scenario of either stability in yields or monetary easing.
In Local Rates, we are closely monitoring EM Central banks to pursue their cutting cycles as the FED and ECB have paused. We continue to like countries such as Brazil (due to commodities), Mexico (a key beneficiary of manufacturing diversification away from China) where real interest rates remain very high. For emerging markets debt denominated in local currency, yields in countries such as Brazil and Mexico are close to 10%.
In Sovereign Credit, we continue to favour idiosyncratic higher yielding stories and 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, Mexico, etc.). Nevertheless, we remain cautious and have added protection against our HY names.
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.
Sources: Carmignac, Bloomberg, 31/12/2023.
1JP Morgan GBI – Emerging Markets Global Diversified Composite Unhedged EUR Index. Performance of the FW EUR acc share class.
Carmignac Portfolio EM Debt
Exploit fixed income opportunities across the entire emerging universeDiscover the fund pageCarmignac Portfolio EM Debt FW EUR Acc
- 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
Fees
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- We do not charge an entry fee.
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- 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.
Annualised Performance
| Carmignac Portfolio EM Debt | 1.1 | -10.0 | 28.9 | 10.5 | 3.9 | -9.0 | 15.3 |
| Reference Indicator | 0.4 | -1.5 | 15.6 | -5.8 | -1.8 | -5.9 | 8.9 |
| Carmignac Portfolio EM Debt | + 3.5 % | + 8.0 % | + 5.5 % |
| Reference Indicator | + 1.5 % | + 1.1 % | + 1.3 % |
Source: Carmignac at 28 Mar 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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