A credit approach aiming to absorb shocks, not amplify them
Credit can feel calm because returns are steady most of the time. But credit is asymmetric: the upside is limited to the coupon, while the downside can be permanent if fundamentals weaken or liquidity disappears.
That is why our approach starts with risk management: we focus on making risk visible, measurable and discussable long before it has the chance to surprise a portfolio.
Why focus on risk?
A focus on risk is what turns credit from a source of uncertainty into a source of disciplined income. By analysing downside drivers, liquidity and structure in advance, investors can distinguish between risks that are compensated and those that are not.
The upside is capped. The downside is not
Credit rewards discipline. When spreads widen or liquidity disappears at the wrong moment, bondholders learn quickly that “safe” can be situational.
Liquidity can vanish when it matters most
Bond markets can be liquid in quiet conditions and unforgiving in stress. Managing liquidity early is part of managing risk.
Structure is part of risk
Covenants, seniority and recovery prospects often drive outcomes more than headline yield. In credit, the fine print matters.
Global High Yield: Outlook
An in-depth outlook on global high yield markets in 2026, examining how carry, dispersion and issuer selectivity shape opportunities and risks as the credit cycle matures. Find out:
With spreads tight and refinancing risk moving closer into view, the margin for error is narrowing.
Understanding where resilience lies will be key to navigating 2026.
The Candriam approach
Watch as two key members of Candriam’s Fixed Income team - Charudatta Shende, Fixed Income Strategist and Head of Client Portfolio Management, and Client Potfolio Manager, Marie Thomin – explain what taming risk entails and exactly how it’s done at Candriam.
Why Candriam for credit
Experience that compounds over time. Candriam’s credit expertise is built on long-standing teams, deep market knowledge and a shared culture of risk awareness, supporting consistent decision-making across market cycles.
- 0 issuer defaults across the credit strategies we manage, reflecting a long-standing focus on downside risk and discipline.
- €16.5 bn in assets under management in credit as of 31/12/25
- 20 complementary experts dedicated to credit. Portfolio managers, analysts and specialists working together across Candriam’s 8 credit strategues
- 25 years investing in credit markets with experience built across multiple market cycles and stress environments.
Inside Candriam’s Credit Expertise

Learn more about our credit expertise
A comprehensive overview of Candriam’s credit capabilities, outlining our risk-first investment process, team expertise and range of long-only and long–short credit strategies.
Onze oplossingen voor bedrijfsobligaties
De oplossingen voor bedrijfsobligaties van Candriam zijn ontworpen om onder verschillende portfolioposities en marktomstandigheden het hoofd te bieden, terwijl ze verankerd blijven in een consistente, risicogerichte beleggingsfilosofie. Bij alle belangrijke en gespecialiseerde benaderingen ligt de nadruk op gedisciplineerde portefeuilleopbouw, liquiditeitsbewustzijn en controle van neerwaartse risico's.
Vragen? Neem contact op met een vertegenwoordiger
Candriam Bonds Global High Yield
Europese en Amerikaanse bedrijfsobligaties, investment grade en high yield (BB+ tot B-), buiten Financials
Candriam Sustainable Bond Euro Corporate
Euro Investment Grade-bedrijfsobligaties met een ESG-focus
Candriam Bonds Floating Rate Notes
Euro Investment Grade-bedrijfsobligaties gericht op 0-3 jaar: korte looptijd en beperkte volatiliteit
Candriam Bonds Capital Securities
Achtergestelde schuld uitgegeven door financiële instellingen van hoge reputatie
Candriam Bonds Credit Alpha
Long-short directionele kredietstrategie met volatiliteit lager dan 10%