RobecoSAM Euro SDG Credits FH EUR

The spread performance in the corporate bond markets was close to zero in March, while sentiment in the equity markets remained positive. At the same time, we see more and more late-cyclical idiosyncratic events happening. The latest development was the unwind of Archegos, a large hedge fund disguised as a family office. This unwind caused large price declines for several popular growth stocks and some significant losses for individual banks that provided the leverage. The largest victim was Credit Suisse, a bank that had already been hurt by the fall of Greensill Capital. Spreads for Credit Suisse bonds widened, but the overall credit market remained largely unscathed, with credit spreads flat for the month. Government bond yields continued to rise in the US, while European yields were fairly stable. An amount of EUR 67 billion was issued in new bonds in the euro investment grade market. Almost half of this supply was in the 10Y+ bucket, so issuers are rushing to the market to lock in low yields. The duration extension of the index was higher than usual last month. Still, duration in the European corporate bond market has only increased marginally over the past years.

The fund only invests in Euro-denominated bonds.

RobecoSAM Euro SDG Credits make use of derivatives for hedging purposes as well as for investment purposes. These derivatives are very liquid.

The fund does not distribute dividend. The fund retains any income that is earned and so its entire performance is reflected in its share price.

In the RobecoSAM Euro SDG Credits strategy we look for investments with a positive societal impact, whilst generating healthy financial returns. We define impact as an alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We identify and evaluate the impact that specific credits have on the SDGs, and score all the issuers under coverage of the analyst team. These scores categorize credits as having either a Positive, Neutral, or Negative impact on the SDGs. The scores are then used in a screening process, to define the investable universe that exclude credits with a Negative impact on the SDGs. In addition to the universe screening, our credit analysts integrate ESG factors in their analysis of the companies fundamental credit quality.

RobecoSAM Euro SDG Credits is an actively managed fund and provides a diversified exposure to the Euro investment grade credit market. The selection of these bonds is based on fundamental analysis. The fund's objective is to provide long term capital growth.The fund has sustainable investment as its objective within the meaning of Article 9 of the European Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. The fund advances the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by investing in companies whose business models and operational practices are aligned with targets defined by the 17 UN SDGs. The fund integrates ESG (Environmental, Social and corporate Governance) in the investment process, applies an exclusion list basis controversial behavior, products (including controversial weapons, tobacco, palm oil and fossil fuel) while avoiding investment in thermal coal, weapons, military contracting and companies that severely violate labor conditions, next to engagement. The portfolio is built on the basis of the eligible investment universe and the relevant SDGs using an internally developed framework about which more information can be obtained via the website www.robeco.com/si. The fund can take some off-benchmark positioning in emerging markets, covered bonds and a limited exposure to high yield bonds. The majority of bonds selected will be components of the Benchmark, but bonds outside the Benchmark may be selected too. The fund can deviate substantially from the weightings of the Benchmark. The fund aims to outperform the Benchmark over the long run, whilst still controlling relative risk through the applications of limits (on currencies and issuers) to the extent of deviation from the Benchmark. This will consequently limit the deviation of the performance relative to the Benchmark. The Benchmark is a broad market weighted index that is not consistent with the sustainable objective of the fund.

Risk management is fully embedded in the investment process to ensure that positions always meet predefined guidelines.