May 2025 Monthly

In our note, 2024 experience bodes well for 2025, we highlighted that Volta has delivered +21.2% 2024 total NAV return, outperforming i) B-rated CLO tranches (+19.2%), ii) US high yield (+8.2%), iii) Euro high yield (+8.6%), and iv) global loans (+7.3%). Its performance reflects positive markets and the incremental value added by the manager through its asset selection and portfolio management. Looking into 2025, we expect another strong year from CLOs: more market growth (partially driven by loans issued to fund greater PE activity), and stable defaults offsetting some spread tightening and fewer pull to par benefits. Short-term volatility, driven at times by uncertain markets, is likely, but AXA IM has outperformed through economic cycles.

• March factsheet: Volta Finance’s net performance was negative, at -2.9% (Aug 2024-to-date performance at +9.7%). CLO Debt and CLO Equity were affected by the volatility and risk repricing across global markets. The portfolio generated ca.€28m of cashflow over six months (annualised ca.21% of Feb’s NAV).
• Dividend rising with NAV: The quarterly dividend paid in April 2025 is €0.155 vs. €0.14 for the same period last year. Volta’s policy (paying 8% NAV annualised of NAV in quarterly payments) means that investors immediately benefit from the rising NAV through higher dividends.
• Valuation: Volta trades at a double discount: its share price is at a 19% discount to NAV, and we believe its mark-to-market approach includes a sentiment-driven discount to the expected cashflows. Volta’s yield is a key attraction, and, in our view, it is likely to be more than 2x covered, giving investors considerable comfort.
• Risks: Credit risk is a key sensitivity. We examined the valuation of assets, highlighting the multiple controls to ensure its validity, in our September 2018 initiation note. The NAV is exposed to sentiment towards its own and underlying markets. Volta’s long $ position is only partially hedged.
• Investment summary: Volta is an investment for sophisticated investors, as both the NAV and the discount to NAV may be volatile over time. We note that some competitors to Volta, historically, had a more stable NAV valuation due to a different asset valuation approach. Fundamental, long-term returns have been robust: 9.5% p.a. (dividend reinvested basis) since inception. Volta’s performance relative to that of its peers has been strong, and returns for investments made after the financial crisis were double those in prior years.