Portfolio manager comments — Q1 2025
Fund performance was slightly positive during the quarter. The weaker returns can primarily be explained by individual companies, particularly within renewable energy where the willingness to invest has decreased significantly in the wake of the new presidency. The solar power sector in particular has been hit hard.
At the same time, additional high inflation figures from the US have contributed to rising interest rates, while developments in Europe have gone in the opposite direction. Low growth data in the eurozone has caused a decline in interest rates, even though the announcement of a new debt package of EUR 1 000 billion temporarily caused a sharp rise in European interest rates, with an intraday upturn of 30 bps.
The political turmoil after Donald Trump took office has been significant and resulted in high volatility, falling stock markets and credit spreads that have recently widened.
During the period the fund had a slightly lower credit risk and an underweight in the USD market, which benefited returns. The fund has retained a neutral duration position, with some exposure to a steeper yield curve.
The rate of new issues was high within European and Nordic high yield during the quarter. The fund participated in several issues, including that of Seche Environment S.A., a French company within waste management, as well as Getlink SE, which manages the tunnel between France and England. Both companies issued bonds within their green framework.