STIP returned +0.28% during the quarter, outperforming the FTSE Canada All Corporate Bond Index (the “Index”), which returned 0.07%. 

The Fund produced strong returns from credit spread exposure, while interest rate exposure weighed on total performance. Credit returns were driven by financial-related issuers, which were led by positions in high-quality Yankee banks and global/domestic systemically important banks. Additionally, energy-infrastructure issuers, primarily Canadian multinational pipeline companies, and domestic telecoms, with improving balance sheets, generated strong returns.

Headline portfolio metrics were actively managed during the quarter. For instance, interest rate exposure was tactically reduced into quarter-end as rate volatility increased while credit exposure increased to capitalize on a favorable technical backdrop that supported credit spread valuations. From a geographic perspective, the portfolio increased US and EUR-domiciled exposures quarter-over-quarter, which proved prescient as domestic credit spreads underperformed. More recently, we are looking to shift exposure back to CAD-domiciled issuers with relatively attractive valuations. Sector-wise, profitable financial-related and energy-infrastructure holdings were trimmed and reallocated to defensive sectors like consumer staples and industrials. In terms of credit quality, the portfolio reduced AA-rated positions primarily in favor of BBB-rated non-financial issuers, and the Fund continues to have minimal (2%) high yield exposure. We believe the Fund will continue to act as a strong alternative to traditional core bond strategies given its ability to actively source returns via both interest rate and credit spread exposures.

AGB returned +3.49% during the quarter, outperforming the FTSE Canada All Corporate Bond Index (the “Index”), which returned 0.07%. 

The Fund generated outsized returns from credit spread exposure and prudently navigated volatile interest rate environment exposure, leading to significant outperformance relative to traditional fixed income strategies across the risk spectrum. Credit returns were driven by financial-related issuers, which were led by positions in high-quality Yankee and global systemically important banks, as well as specialty financials like aircraft lessors. Additionally, energy-infrastructure issuers and select consumer discretionary issuers generated strong returns. The portfolio’s dynamic hedging overlay acted as a net detractor, but we remain comfortable with sacrificing modest amounts of yield to embed prudent downside protection.

DOF returned +3.26% during the quarter, notably outperforming the FTSE Canada All Corporate Bond Index (the “Index”), which returned 0.07%. 

The Strategy generated outsized returns from credit spread exposure and prudently navigated volatile interest rate environment exposure, leading to its 12^th consecutive month of positive returns. Credit returns were driven by financial-related issuers, which were led by positions in high-quality Yankee and global systemically important banks, as well as specialty financials like aircraft lessors. Additionally, consumer-related issuers, both staples and discretionary, and telecom and media issuers generated strong returns. Select holdings across other sectors, like a reverse Yankee industrial position in Carrier Global, also provided notable returns. The portfolio’s dynamic hedging overlay acted as a net detractor, but we remain comfortable with sacrificing modest amounts of yield to embed prudent downside protection.

Headline portfolio metrics were actively managed during the quarter in response to fluctuating expectations of the future path of central bank rates and a favorable technical backdrop that supported credit spread valuations. The portfolio’s interest rate exposure remained subdued relative to traditional investment grade bond strategies, given the Strategy is primarily focused on credit spreads. Alternatively, credit exposure increased opportunistically in March to capitalize on the supportive technical backdrop. From a geographic perspective, the portfolio increased non-domestic exposures quarter-over-quarter, which proved prescient as domestic credit spreads underperformed. More recently, we are looking to shift exposure back to CAD-domiciled issuers with relatively attractive valuations. Sector-wise, profitable TMT, financial, and energy-infrastructure holdings were trimmed and reallocated to defensive sectors like industrials and consumer staples. In terms of credit quality, the portfolio reduced AA-rated and BBB-rated positions in favor of A-rated issuers and modestly reduced its net short position in high yield. We believe the Strategy is well positioned to continue to navigate ever-changing markets and generate strong risk-adjusted returns, given its alternative toolkit and focus on credit spreads, which we believe are well supported despite rich index-level valuations.

SOF returned +4.57% during the quarter, notably outperforming the Bloomberg US High Yield (CAD Hedged) Bond Index (the “Index”), which returned +1.34%. 

The Strategy’s outperformance relative to traditional fixed income strategies across the risk spectrum can be attributed to SOF’s ability to generate outsized returns from credit spread exposure. Credit returns were driven by financial-related positions, which were led by specialty financials, like aircraft lessors and business development companies, as well as European banks. Additionally, consumer-related issuers, particularly airlines, and debt of energy-infrastructure companies generated strong returns. The portfolio’s dynamic hedging overlay acted as a net detractor, but we remain comfortable with sacrificing modest amounts of yield to embed prudent downside protection.

Headline portfolio metrics were actively managed during the quarter in response to fluctuating expectations of the future path of central bank rates and a favorable technical backdrop that supported credit spread valuations. Accordingly, the portfolio’s credit exposure increased opportunistically in March to capitalize on the supportive technical backdrop. From a geographic perspective, the portfolio trimmed well-performing US-domiciled exposure in favour of increasing relatively attractive EUR-domiciled exposure. Sector-wise, profitable financial exposures were reduced from a heavy overweight position and reallocated across various sectors; note that the portfolio remains net short consumer-related issuers. In terms of credit quality, the portfolio’s overweight to investment grade was trimmed quarter-over-quarter as BBB-rated exposures were reduced in favour of adding back to high-yield issuers. We believe the Strategy is well-positioned to continue providing investors with strong risk-adjusted returns as an effective alternative to traditional fixed income, equity, and private asset allocations.