Investor Summary
Fund Strategy
FUND PERFORMANCE AS OF 31st March 2026
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 7.52% | -0.15% | -0.15% |
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 7.52% | -0.15% | -0.15% |
The Angel Oak High Yield Opportunities ETF returned -0.15% in Q1 2026, outperforming the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield Index at -0.50%. The quarter began strongly but turned negative in March following the Iran conflict that started February 28th, creating market volatility and inflationary pressures. Energy was the top performing sector, benefiting from rising LNG and methanol prices tied to the conflict. The U.S. economy remains resilient with stable employment, real wage growth, and support from OBBBA tax cuts, though the conflict poses risks of persistent inflation and margin pressure. High-yield spreads widened meaningfully from post-GFC lows but appear attractive on a three-month basis. The fund's securitized credit allocation outperformed, contributing 25 basis points. Looking ahead, the manager emphasizes higher-quality corporate issuers with strong fundamentals while gradually trimming out-of-index securitized exposure to balance risk and return amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and limited visibility into conflict duration.
Focus on higher-quality corporate issuers with strong fundamentals while managing geopolitical and inflation risks through selective positioning and gradual reduction of out-of-index securitized credit exposure.
The manager maintains a cautious but constructive outlook, emphasizing quality positioning amid geopolitical uncertainty while gradually reducing securitized credit exposure to balance risk and return.
| Date | Letter | Tickers | Keywords | Pitches | Quick Takes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18 2026 | 2026 Q1 | - | credit, energy, high yield, inflation, Iran, Securitized | - | Angel Oak High Yield ETF outperformed in Q1 2026 despite Iran conflict volatility, with energy sector driving gains from rising commodity prices. Fund emphasizes quality corporate issuers while trimming securitized credit exposure amid geopolitical uncertainty and inflation risks from sustained energy price increases. |
| Jan 22 2026 | 2025 Q4 | AOHY | consumer, credit, Fed, high yield, rates, Resilience, Spreads | - | Angel Oak High Yield Opportunities ETF's strategy centers on consumer and corporate resilience driving economic strength despite tight credit spreads. The fund emphasizes high-quality issuers with strong fundamentals while gradually reducing securitized credit exposure. Fed rate cuts and 2026 policy changes should support continued growth, though disciplined selection remains critical given limited spread compression room. |
| Oct 24 2025 | 2025 Q3 | - | Corporate Bonds, credit, Fed, high yield, inflation, rates | CHK | Angel Oak High Yield ETF returned 2.04% in Q3, underperforming its benchmark as Fed rate cuts supported lower-quality credit outperformance. Despite resilient consumer spending, the manager remains cautious on elevated valuations and emerging economic deterioration, emphasizing high-quality corporate issuers while reducing securitized credit exposure. |
| Jul 19 2025 | 2025 Q2 | - | Corporate Bonds, credit, high yield, Spreads, tariffs | - | Angel Oak delivered 3.46% returns in Q2 amid tariff-driven volatility and subsequent relief rally. Corporate bonds outperformed while securitized credit lagged. Credit spreads have tightened to full valuations. The manager maintains cautious positioning, trimming securitized overweight for high-quality corporates while navigating tariff uncertainty and mixed economic signals. |
| Mar 31 2025 | 2025 Q1 | - | Corporate Bonds, credit, Fed policy, high yield, Securitized Credit, tariffs | - | Angel Oak High Yield Opportunities ETF matched benchmark returns at 1.01% in Q1 2025 despite tariff-induced uncertainty causing credit spread widening. Lower-quality credits underperformed while higher-quality BB-rated issuers outperformed. The fund is shifting toward high-quality corporate issuers with strong fundamentals as managers focus on balancing risk and reward amid economic uncertainty. |
| Jan 21 2025 | 2024 Q4 | - | Corporate Bonds, credit spreads, Fed policy, fixed income, high yield, interest rates | - | Angel Oak High Yield Opportunities ETF outperformed in Q4 through corporate credit selection, particularly in energy. Despite credit spreads at post-GFC tights and elevated valuations, managers expect continued tightening from economic resilience and credit quality improvements. Portfolio is shifting from securitized credit toward high-quality corporate issuers with strong margins and cash flow generation. |
| QUARTER | THEMES | TAGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q1 |
IranThe Iran conflict beginning on February 28th has created significant market volatility and inflationary pressures through rising energy prices. The duration and evolution of this conflict represents a key macroeconomic risk that could lead to persistent inflation and pressure on corporate margins. |
Geopolitical Energy Inflation Conflict Risk |
EnergyEnergy sector was the largest positive contributor to performance, returning 4.98% versus 2.54% for the benchmark. A liquefied natural gas producer benefited from rising LNG prices tied to the Iran conflict, while methanol producers gained from increased demand as Iran accounts for more than 10% of global methanol supply. |
LNG Natural Gas Methanol Commodities Pricing | |
InflationCore PCE inflation increased from 2.5% to 2.7% in FOMC projections, incorporating expected effects of the OBBBA legislation. The central question is whether inflationary impacts from tariffs and sustained energy price increases could become more persistent, potentially pressuring margins and economic activity. |
PCE FOMC Tariffs Pricing Policy | |
| 2025 Q4 |
AIAI continued as a major theme with over 300 S&P 500 companies mentioning artificial intelligence on earnings calls. However, scrutiny increased around AI-related revenue circularity, massive capital spending scale, and durability of longer-term returns on investment. Oracle faced concerns about OpenAI backlog concentration risk and significant debt required for datacenter commitments. |
Artificial Intelligence Data Centers Capital Spending Revenue Circularity Infrastructure |
Trade PolicyTrade relations between the U.S. and China remained a key market focus with tensions flaring over tariff escalations and export controls. China dramatically expanded export controls on rare earth minerals while the U.S. threatened 100% tariffs in retaliation. A one-year trade truce was ultimately reached between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping. |
Tariffs China Export Controls Rare Earth Minerals Trade Relations | |
CryptoCoinbase Global was added as a new position, viewed as the dominant player in the U.S. cryptocurrency market with over 65% trading volume share. The company benefits from regulatory clarity through the GENIUS Act and anticipated CLARITY Act, boosting institutional adoption. The business model is shifting towards more predictable revenue streams. |
Cryptocurrency Regulatory Clarity Institutional Adoption Trading Volume Revenue Streams | |
Infrastructure SpendingAPi Group was added as a new position, benefiting from government incentives including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and CHIPS Act. The company operates in fire and life safety services with substantial recurring revenue through statutory and contracted services, positioning it well for increased infrastructure spending. |
Infrastructure Investment CHIPS Act Fire Safety Recurring Revenue Government Incentives | |
| 2025 Q3 |
RatesFederal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points in September with markets expecting over 100 basis points of additional cuts bringing federal funds rate to approximately 3% by mid-2026. Rate cuts are expected to stimulate economic activity and support risk assets including high yield corporate debt. |
Federal Reserve Rate Cuts Monetary Policy FOMC Easing Cycle |
Credit StressCCC and below-rated bonds significantly outperformed returning 4.16% with 76 basis points of credit spread tightening. Credit spreads on BB rated bonds remain roughly one standard deviation tighter than long-term averages, while rising unemployment and increasing delinquencies signal emerging economic deterioration. |
Credit Spreads High Yield CCC Bonds Credit Quality Delinquencies | |
InflationCore Personal Consumption Expenditures climbed to 2.9% annualized three-month average, in line with year-over-year pace. Tariffs implemented midway through the quarter are considered a one-off price shock rather than sustained inflation source, with early indicators suggesting higher costs not yet fully passed through to consumers. |
PCE Core Inflation Tariffs Price Pressures Consumer Prices | |
| 2025 Q2 |
Trade PolicyReciprocal tariffs announced in April triggered market volatility before being paused for 90 days. Uncertainty around tariff scope, magnitude, and timing continues to weigh on markets and corporate planning. Companies are preparing to pass through tariff-related costs to consumers. |
Tariffs Trade Inflation Policy |
Credit StressHigh yield credit spreads have tightened to one standard deviation below historical averages, suggesting full valuations. CCC and below-rated bonds remain near long-term averages relative to higher-rated peers, offering selective opportunities while reflecting ongoing risks from higher rates. |
Spreads Valuations Credit Risk | |
AIArtificial intelligence infrastructure growth is driving strong demand for fiber connectivity providers serving data center expansion. Outside AI-benefiting sectors, corporate management teams have adopted cautious stances on expansion and hiring. |
Infrastructure Data Centers Connectivity Growth | |
| 2025 Q1 |
TariffsTariff announcements raised uncertainty and diminished economic growth outlook, leading to asset valuation reversals. Tariffs are expected to impact inflation, with Fed concerns about whether effects will be transitory or persistent. Consumers are already shifting spending patterns ahead of tariff implementations, attempting to protect incomes by pulling back on services. |
Trade Policy Inflation Consumer |
Credit StressCredit spreads widened significantly during the quarter, with CCC-and-below-rated issuers experiencing substantial decompression and underperforming. Highly leveraged issuers with near-term refinancing needs could face deteriorating credit profiles, potentially contributing to increased default rates given tariff cost impacts and high interest rates. |
High Yield Credit Spreads Default Risk | |
Risk AppetiteInvestor risk aversion increased reflecting rising economic uncertainty, resulting in higher-quality, more interest-rate-sensitive BB-rated issuers outperforming while higher-risk CCC-and-below-rated issuers underperformed. The fund is reducing overweight in securitized credit in favor of high-quality corporate issuers with strong margins and solid free cash flow generation. |
Quality Flight to Quality Credit Quality | |
| 2024 Q4 |
Credit StressHigh-yield corporate credit spreads finished the quarter 13 bps tighter and set a new post-global financial crisis tight of 253 bps on November 12. Corporate credit spreads as a percentage of total yield is at its lowest since prior to the GFC, highlighting the richness of corporate credit spread valuations. Credit card loan delinquencies and charge-offs rising to their highest rates since exiting the GFC though they remain well below GFC peak levels. |
Credit Spreads Delinquencies High Yield Corporate Credit Valuations |
RatesRate cut expectations for 2025 declined from approximately 200 to 250 basis points around the September FOMC meeting to 75 bps following the November meeting and to 25 to 50 bps after the December meeting. Interest rates on maturities of 2-30 years moved up from 60 to more than 80 bps. The Fed appears to have completed its recalibration process, having cut the federal funds rate 100 bps and reduced the restrictiveness of monetary policy. |
Fed Funds Rate Rate Cuts Treasury Yields FOMC Monetary Policy | |
Energy TransitionEnergy was the largest positive contributor to performance, returning 1.0% compared to the benchmark which returned 0.4%. The positive attribution was entirely from selection, with the largest positive contribution from a liquefied natural gas company that had one of its projects come on line in the quarter, raised equity capital, and completed a bond exchange. |
LNG Natural Gas Energy Infrastructure Project Finance |
| Date | Pitch Type | Author | Ticker | Company | Industry | Sub Industry | Bull / Bear | Exchange | Keywords | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 24, 2025 | Fund Letters | Sreeni Prabhu | CHK | Chesapeake Energy Corp. | Information Technology | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | Bull | NASDAQ | Capex discipline, cash flow, credit spreads, energy, high yield, leverage | Login |
| TICKER | COMMENTARY |
|---|---|
| No ticker commentary found. | |
| Ticker | Put/Call | Amount Bought | Shares Bought | % Change | Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Recent Buys Data | |||||
| Ticker | Put/Call | Amount Sold | Shares Sold | % Change | Weight % | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Recent Sells Data | ||||||
| Industry | Prev Quarter % | Current Quarter % | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| No industry data available | |||