Swiss Franc Credit Bond: a reliable record of outperformance

Markus Thöny - Head of Swiss Fixed Income
Markus Thöny
Head of Swiss Fixed Income
Philipp Burckhardt, CFA - Fixed Income Strategist and Senior Portfolio Manager
Philipp Burckhardt, CFA
Fixed Income Strategist and Senior Portfolio Manager
Swiss Franc Credit Bond: a reliable record of outperformance

key takeaways.

  • LOIM’s Swiss Franc Credit Bond strategy has consistently outperformed its benchmark since 2008, underscoring the benefits of a disciplined, credit-focused approach
  • The strategy targets credit risk, using a broad and balanced portfolio to generate value across multiple issuers and investment styles
  • Swiss corporate bonds continue to offer attractive value and strong fundamentals, making them a compelling choice in uncertain market conditions.

While markets have been anything but predictable in recent years, LOIM’s Swiss Franc Credit Bond strategy has been a model of consistency. It was among the first investment products to carve out a dedicated space for corporate bonds within the Swiss franc universe when it launched in June 2008. Having continuously delivered excess returns relative to its benchmark, including record outperformance in 20241, the strategy underscores the enduring potential of active management in this space. 

Outpacing its benchmark consistently 

With an annualised pre-cost return of 2.99%, the Swiss France Credit Bond strategy has outpaced its benchmark by an average of 0.94% per year, delivering an information ratio of more than 0.711,2. Behind these numbers lies a disciplined, proprietary investment approach that has continued to generate long-term value for investors.

In a peer group comparison involving nearly 40 different providers, the Swiss Franc Credit Bond strategy stands out not only for its realised cumulative performance, but also for the persistence of its outperformance.

FIG 1. Swiss Franc Credit Bond strategy composite1,2 gross performance vs peer group3 

FIG 2. Swiss Franc Credit bond strategy summary risk indicator4
 


 

Our focus on credit risk

The focus of the Swiss Franc Credit Bond strategy is credit risk. While it keeps exposure to interest rate risks in line with the market, the strategy adds value mainly by deliberately targeting a different credit risk exposure than the benchmark. 

The applied disciplined and proprietary investment approach is based on the core belief that our investment experts should not only play an advisory role, but also take direct responsibility for decision-making and implementation. Hence, they are risk-takers, applying their specific expertise directly and efficiently within the portfolio. This approach can lead to better measurability of performance contributions, ensure the efficiency required for active investment solutions, and enhance scalability and flexibility of the investment process.

Same destination, different journeys: track record isn’t just about returns

There may be many reasons to choose a particular investment product, but track record will always be one of the most important and convincing ones. It’s not just about the performance achieved, but also about the risks taken to achieve that performance and the persistence of the results.

The following simplified example illustrates the 10-year track record of three hypothetical investment products (I1, I2, and I3) and a benchmark index (BM)5. At the end of the 10-year period, all investment products show the same overall performance, achieving an average annualised return of +1%. The benchmark’s annualised return is 0.5%. Despite the identical end result, the trajectories differ significantly.

 

 

Investment Product 1 delivers a consistent and steady performance, outperforming the benchmark during almost every year. Products 2 and 3 have nearly the same volatility (+7%) and tracking error relative to the benchmark (approx. 6.5%), yet their performance patterns differ significantly. While Product 2  loses value in nine out of 10 years, except for one outstanding year, Product 3 shows large annual fluctuations but ultimately achieves the same overall performance as the other two. Considering the investment risks taken and the persistence of performance, most investors would likely choose Product 1.

An investment approach that spreads the risk 

Our investment strategy aims for a medium-term ex-ante tracking error of 2% and an active share of over 30%6. However, it is not a highly concentrated portfolio with large positions in just a few names with excessive issuer-specific risks. On the contrary, the number of issuers in the strategy often – and perhaps surprisingly – roughly matches that of the benchmark7. This is due both to the flexibility of the investment universe and to the direct result of the investment approach, in which our experts apply their diverse talents. Ultimately, this leads to strong diversification across various investment strategies and sources of performance.

Read more: Swiss bonds: how well do you really understand tracking error?

Even though the Swiss franc bond market occasionally offers short-term opportunities to be exploited, our investment process primarily focuses on medium- to long-term momentum, value and carry strategies – all of which require a robust credit research process.

The specific characteristics of the Swiss franc bond market require – especially for active investment approaches – excellent access to the capital market (both primary and secondary), as well as strong connectivity with all relevant counterparties.

Extending gains after record outperformance 

Following record outperformance in 2024, our credit strategy has once again been delivering excess returns in 2025. That’s despite very low volatility in the Swiss franc credit market, and even slightly rising credit spreads, which is challenging for active credit strategies. 

It’s true that compensation for taking on Swiss franc credit risk has been higher in the past. However, compared with the U.S. and Europe, Swiss franc bonds still offer historically attractive value, as Figure 3 illustrates. That’s why we continue to view the credit carry of Swiss franc corporate bonds as an opportunity, especially given that corporate credit quality remains strong. 

Fundamentals are solid and, so far, appear largely unaffected by US tariffs. Most listed companies in the Swiss franc bond market are internationally oriented and can therefore significantly mitigate the impact of the tariffs. As long as the growth environment and consumer demand remain intact, a focus on credit carry is likely to be the right strategy. 

FIG 3. Spreads continue to stand out in Switzerland8
Percentiles of yield and spreads by rating and currency (7y rolling)

 
Selective exposure in a challenging valuation environment

For Swiss investors, foreign currency bonds currently make sense primarily from a diversification perspective. This is especially true in the sub-investment-grade segment, where there are too few CHF issuers to provide the required level of diversification. From a valuation standpoint, there is currently little to support foreign currency bonds. For one thing, credit spreads on foreign currency bonds are at historically low levels. At the same time, hedging costs remain high, which quickly erodes the yield advantage of foreign currency bonds.

We currently favor subordinated financial bonds from companies with strong fundamentals, real estate companies that benefit from low interest rates and selectively sub-investment-grade telecommunications firms. On the other hand, we remain underweight in energy-sector bonds7.

Mitigating downside risks

Even if volatility and investment risks may rise again in the future, Swiss corporate bonds remain a valid solution – especially in uncertain market environments. Thanks to a well-balanced mix of interest rate and credit risks, along with strong average issuer quality, downside risks can be mitigated without having to forgo the credit-related yield premium. 

The track record of the Swiss Franc Credit Bond strategy demonstrates that added value versus the benchmark can be achieved consistently in any market environment.
 

To learn more about our Swiss Franc Bonds strategy, click here
view sources.
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[1] LOIM, Bloomberg. As at October 2025. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Strategy performance is based on a composite, starting from 2 July 2008. Composite performance serves as indicative performance of the strategy.
[2]
  Annual composite and benchmark performance and statistics
    Composite return % Benchmark returns % Number of portfolios Internal dispersion % Composite market value % of firm’s assets Standard deviation (ann.), 3 years, composite Standard deviation (ann.), 3 years, benchmark
   YTD 1.69 1.04 2   1,876 3.91 2.66 2.23
   2024 7.54 5.03 2   1,814 3.72 5.05 3.96
   2023 7.27 5.80 2   1,284 2.71 4.87 3.80
   2022 -10.36 -9.52 2   1,701 3.52 7.36 5.22
   2021 0.77 -0.15 2   1,934 3.33 6.14 4.32
   2020 1.03 0.37 2   2,020 3.87 6.12 4.28
   2019 5.10 2.81 2   1,877 4.19 1.54 1.60
   2018 -0.45 -0.41 2   1,655 4.49 1.29 1.28
   2017 1.77 0.75 2   1,648 4.12 1.75 1.50
   2016 2.40 1.37 2   1,699 5.03 1.82 1.55
   2015 1.21 0.73 2   1,851 5.13 2.05 1.67

Risk statistics are calculated with monthly composite and benchmark returns. Risk-free rate:  compounded return of the FTSE 3-month Eurodeposit Index from inception to 31/08/23, then JPM 3-Month Cash Index from 01/09/23 in the relevant reporting currency.  Composite and Benchmark 3 year volatility is, at each end-of-period, the Composite/Benchmark annualised volatility calculated on the prior 36 month data series.  3-year volatility is presented only if there are 36 or more monthly returns available.  Internal Dispersion of individual portfolio returns are only present for calendar years when there are 5 or more portfolios in the composite for the full year.  Sharpe Ratio:  ratio of the composite returns in excess of the risk-free rate of relative returns Tracking Error:  annualized standard deviation of monthly difference between composite and benchmark returns Information Ratio:  ratio of the composites excess returns over the Tracking Error Gross returns were used to calculate all risk measures presented in the GIPS Composite Report.

Composite and Benchmark Definition
The strategy invests into CHF-denominated corporate and credit bonds with an SBI rating between A and BBB. The strategy uses financial derivative instruments not only for hedging purposes or for EPM, but also as part of the investment strategy, subject to pre-defined limits. The composite leverage at year end was: 2016- 18.72%, 2017- 63%, 2018- 86.17%, 2019- 83.85%, 2020- 225.59%, 2021- 296.90%, 2022- 196.48%, 2023- 122.62% and 2024- 68.09% for the Swiss Franc Credit Bond (Foreign). The composite benchmark is a portfolio-weighted average of the included portfolios’ own benchmarks, rebalanced monthly using the beginning-of-month portfolio market value. The individual portfolio benchmarks include sub-indices for every asset class they are invested in. The total average composite weight of each index in the composite benchmark as at the latest year-end is disclosed below. Indices used are the SBI Domestic A-BBB TR and the SBI Foreign A-BBB TR. Base currency is CHF.

Management Fees and Other Information
All returns are presented gross of fund total expense ratio. The maximum TER for this strategy is 0.95% based on the PA share class (investment above CHF 1 million), with a management fee of 0.35%.  All accounts in this composite are charge in the same manner.  Withholding taxes on dividends and interest are presented from a Swiss institutional investor’s point of view, whereby the Swiss recoverable withholding tax is added back to performance. Further information on calculation methodologies and composite management procedures is available upon request.

GIPS Firm definition
Lombard Odier Investment Managers (LOIM), the institutional asset management unit of Lombard Odier worldwide comprising all discretionary institutional mandates and all Lombard Odier public investment funds managed at the LOIM unit, but excluding Private Equity mandates and funds and the 1798 Hedge Fund family (as of 01.01.2013) as subject to a different management process.   LOIM Exchange Traded Funds (ETF's) have been included since launch in April 2015.

Past performance
Past performance is no guarantee for future results.

Firm definition
The firm definition was recently changed by mentioning the non-inclusion of the LOIM Private Equity portfolios and the exclusion of the 1798 Hedge Fund family as of January 1, 2013.  This change was done for accuracy purposes and involves no change in the composite list or no material change in the assets under management figures.

Significant Cash Flow Policy
The firm applied a Significant Cash Flow Policy for this composite until December 31, 2010 whereby portfolios were temporarily excluded from the composite on any significant cash flow occurrence.  This practice was abandoned on January 1, 2011 and no portfolios were excluded for significant cash flow reasons as of that date.

[3]  For illustrative purposes only. Peer group comprises 37 actively managed Swiss bond funds and four market indices that represent passive solutions. For peers with a shorter track record, we supplemented the missing data with the track record of our Siss France Credit Bond strategy. The peer group methodology cited herein is provided for information purposes only and may be subject to change over time. No fund/benchmark/index is directly comparable to the investing objectives, strategy or universe of our fund. This document has been prepared by LOIM employees who are encouraged to raise assets for their strategy and may have a conflict of interest. Information relating to peer group methodology is available on request.

[4]  This summary risk indicator (SRI) is a guide to the level of risk of this product compared to other products. Where there are less than 5 years worth of data, missing returns are simulated using an appropriate benchmark. The SRI may change overtime and should not be used as an indicator of future risk or returns. Even the lowest risk classification does not imply that the Sub-Fund is risk-free or that capital is necessarily guaranteed or protected.

The Swiss Franc Credit Bond strategy is actively managed. Its long-only fixed income strategy has been in place since June 2nd 2008. It invests mainly in bonds issued by Swiss and foreign public and private issuers, denominated in Swiss francs. It seeks to outperform the SBI Total A-BBB® index (registered trademark of SIX Swiss Exchange AG) over the long-term. The investment approach focuses on several sources of performance including the level of credit risk, the sectorial and geographical allocation as well as the issuers and issues selection. The duration is kept in line with the one of the benchmark. The selection process is backed by robust internal research and combines top-down allocation decisions, complemented by a bottom-up bond selection. Risk management is performed by fund managers, alongside independent teams who manage investment risks and monitor operational risks.

The summary risk indicator is a guide to the level of risk of this product compared to other products. It shows how likely it is that the product will lose money because of movements in the markets or because we are not able to pay you.

This product does not include any protection from future market performance so you could lose some or all of your investment. 

If we are not able to pay you what is owed, you could lose your entire investment. The following risks may be materially relevant but may not always be adequately captured by the synthetic risk indicator and may cause additional loss: 

Credit risk: A significant level of investment in debt securities or risky securities implies that the risk of, or actual, default may have a material impact on performance. The likelihood of this depends on the credit-worthiness of the issuers. 

Liquidity risk: Where a significant level of investment is made in financial instruments that may under certain circumstances have a relatively low level of liquidity, there is a material risk that the strategy will not be able to transact at advantageous times or prices. This could reduce returns. 
Risks linked to the use of derivatives and financial techniques: Derivatives and other financial techniques used substantially to obtain, increase or reduce exposure to assets may be difficult to value, may generate leverage, and may not yield the anticipated results. All of this could be detrimental to performance. 

Concentration risk: To the extent that the strategy's investments are concentrated in a particular country, market, industry, sector or asset class, the strategy may be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that country, market, industry, sector or asset class.

There can be no assurance that a return will be achieved or that a substantial loss of capital will not be incurred. Before taking any investment decision, please read the latest version of the prospectus, the articles of incorporation, the Key Information Documents (KIDs) and the latest annual report and semi-annual report. Please pay attention to the Appendix B “Risk Factors Annex” of the prospectus. 

[5] LOIM. For illustrative purposes only. 
[6] The ex-ante tracking error is an internal target and is not part of the investment objective of the fund disclosed in the Prospectus/PPM. It is not guaranteed and may not be achieved. Ex-ante tracking error is based on risk models. Actual tracking error will vary from our model depending on market circumstances and individual stocks performance. The fund is not a guaranteed product, and capital may be at risk. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each investor and may change over time. Performance may also be affected by currency fluctuations. Additional information on assumptions, data, and scenario analysis is available upon request.
[7] Holdings and/or allocations are subject to change.
[8] Bloomberg, LOIM as of October 2025. For illustrative purpose only. 
 

important information.

For professional investors use only

This document is a Corporate Communication for Professional Investors only and is not a marketing communication related to a fund, an investment product or investment services in your country. This document is not intended to provide investment, tax, accounting, professional or legal advice.

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