Alternative strategies

Carmignac Portfolio Merger Arbitrage Plus

Luxembourg SICAV sub-fundGlobal marketArticle 8
Share Class

LU2601234169

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 with a socially responsible investment approach, focusing on officially announced M&A deals in the developed markets.
Risk Indicator
3/7
Recommended Minimum Investment Horizon
3 years
Cumulative Performance since launch
+ 7.4 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
+ 4.2 %
From 14/04/2023
To 07/11/2024
Calendar Year Performance 2023
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+ 3.8 %
Net Asset Value
107.39 £
Asset Under Management
148 M €
Market
Global market
SFDR - Fund Classification

Article

8
Data as of:  7 Nov 2024.
​Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Performances are net of fees (excluding possible entrance fees charged by the distributor).

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:  31 Oct 2024.
Fund management team

Market environment

  • After a few months of relative calm, and in the run-up to the US presidential elections, the 3rd quarter saw a return to volatility in merger arbitrage discounts.
  • The main news of the month was the US court's decision to block Tapestry's acquisition of Capri (Michael Kors, Versace, Jimmy Choo) because of concerns that the merger would weaken competition.
  • While the financial markets were hoping for a decision in favour of the two fashion companies, the ruling was a success for the US competition authority, the FTC, and its head, Lina Khan.
  • Another setback came as a surprise to the merger arbitrage market in Asia with the withdrawal of Sinopharm Common Wealth's bid for minority stakes in China Traditional Chinese Medicine following the failure to obtain the conditions required to initiate the offer.
  • These two setbacks have increased pressure on merger arb spreads in general, but more particularly on deals such as Catalent and Surmodics, which are the subject of an in-depth review by the US administration.
  • The HFRX Merger Arbitrage index fell by 0.97% over the month (-1.87% YTD).
  • Against this volatile backdrop, around twenty deals came to an end and only 16 were announced.
  • The biggest deal announced this month was the acquisition of German chemical company Covestro by Abu Dhabi's state-owned oil company, after several months of rumours. This is the biggest acquisition of a European company by a Gulf country.

Performance commentary

  • We were not invested in China Traditional Chinese Medicine and were relatively little invested in Capri, which meant that we were relatively less affected by the renewed volatility seen in October.
  • The fund posted a negative performance over the month.
  • Main contributors to performance: Nuvei, Concentric, Aaron's and Neoem.
  • Main detractors from performance: Capri, Catalent, Hess and Discover Financial.

Outlook strategy

  • The fund's investment rate is 123%, down on the previous month.
  • With 39 positions in the portfolio, diversification remains satisfactory
  • 2024 marked the resumption of the M&A cycle, driven in particular by falling interest rates, the energy transition affecting many sectors of the economy, the return of private equity funds and the change in stock market regulations in Japan.
  • The risk premium offered by the Merger Arbitrage strategy continues to provide attractive returns for investors, especially in an environment where deal failure rates remain low.

Performance Overview

Data as of:  7 Nov 2024.
​Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Performances are net of fees (excluding possible entrance fees charged by the distributor). 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 12/11/2024

Carmignac Portfolio Merger Arbitrage Plus Portfolio overview

Below is an overview of the composition of the portfolio.

Geographical Breakdown

Data as of:  31 Oct 2024.
North America49.1 %
Europe ex-EUR19.7 %
Europe EUR16.7 %
Others7.8 %
Total % of alternative93.3 %
North America49.1 %
usUSA
41.4 %
caCanada
7.8 %

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:  31 Oct 2024.
Equity Investment Weight77.6 %
Net Equity Exposure93.3 %
Number of Equity Issuers31
Active Share50.0 %

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
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.
Carmignac Portfolio is a sub-fund of Carmignac Portfolio SICAV, an investment company under Luxembourg law, conforming to the UCITS Directive.