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US high yield bonds, as measured by the ICE BofA US Cash Pay High Yield Index, declined 0.55% for 1Q26, while European and global high yield bonds fell 1.72% and 0.42%, as measured by the ICE BofA Euro High Yield Index and the ICE BofA US Dollar Global High Yield Index, respectively.
The ICE BofA US Cash Pay High Yield Index returned 0.48% in January as a strong macroeconomic environment and solid fundamental backdrop were offset by idiosyncratic artificial intelligence (AI) risk and rising geopolitical tensions. Investors' appetite for risk generally remained neutral throughout the month, with higher quality broadly outperforming lower quality. During January, both BB-rated and B-rated securities returned 0.50% while CCC-rated securities reversed early gains to return just 0.08% for the month.
High yield market volatility accelerated in February as AI-related anxiety led to a risk-off approach, resulting in a return of 0.17% for the month. The risk-off tone generated greater return dispersion among sector and ratings buckets resulting in an increased emphasis on proper sector and security selection. In February, BB-rated securities led the way returning 0.50% followed by declines of 0.08% and 1.25% respectively for B-rated and CCC-rated securities.
In March, the US initiated a war with Iran. In response to Operation Epic Fury, interest rates moved higher, equity markets sold off, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil rose to $100 a barrel and high yield bonds rose 60 basis points to close the month at 7.44% as a risk-off sentiment took hold of credit markets (one basis point is a hundredth of a percentage point). As such, the high yield market declined 1.19% for March with rate-sensitive and lower-quality assets underperforming. BB-rated securities fell 1.38% while B-rated and CCC-rated securities declined 0.80% and 1.51% respectively.
For the quarter, BB-rated bonds fell 0.40% while B-rated and CCC-rated bonds declined 0.38% and 2.67% respectively. The strongest-performing sectors were energy (up 2.46%), chemicals (up 1.63%), and telecommunications (up 1.58%). The weakest-performing sectors were paper/packaging (down 4.37%), homebuilders (down 2.21%), and financials (down 1.86%).
New-issue volume totaled $79.8 billion for the quarter. Refinancings comprised 31% of new-issue activity, followed by mergers and acquisitions at 49% and general corporate purposes at 20%. The 12-month par-weighted US high yield default rate ended the quarter at 2.07% and the outlook for the 2026 default rate ranges from 1.75% to 2.25%.
Sources: Bloomberg and J.P. Morgan, unless otherwise noted.
For 1Q26, Nomura High Income Fund Institutional Class shares underperformed the Fund's benchmark, the ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index.
Looking forward, we expect the fall-out from the Middle East conflict to have a lasting effect on high yield fundamentals through the remainder of the year as growth outlooks are lowered, inflationary pressures remain persistent, and rates remain elevated. Given the outlook, we expect that high yield default rates will begin to rise, and that a more defensive positioning of portfolios is warranted. During times of volatility in the high yield market, proper credit selection becomes paramount – we will continue to rely on our disciplined, bottom-up approach to capitalize on opportunities as fundamentals and valuations warrant.
Nomura High Income Fund (IVHIX) (Formerly Macquarie High Income Fund) Share Class: Institutional: (IVHIX) A: (WHIAX) C: (WRHIX) R: (IYHIX) R6: (IHIFX) Y: (WHIYX) Average annual total returns (%) as of March 31, 2026 The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800 523-1918 or visiting Nomura Asset Management . Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the manager and/or distributor (as applicable) for some or all of the periods shown. Performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements. Performance at NAV assumes that no front-end sales charge applied. Performance at offer assumes that a front-end sales charge applied to the extent applicable. As of December 1, 2025, Nomura Holding America Inc. completed the acquisition of Macquarie Asset Management's US and European public investments business. Carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund's prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting Literature - mutual funds or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing. The views expressed represent the investment team's assessment of the Fund and market environment as of the date indicated, and should not be considered a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell any security, and should not be relied on as research or investment advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. A fund or strategy may not receive payment of principal, interest, and other amounts due in connection with investments in loans and other direct indebtedness. Furthermore, loans and other direct indebtedness may be less liquid than other investments and may not be considered securities that are subject to the protections of securities laws. • Fixed income securities can lose value, including the possible loss of principal. Fixed income securities are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer of a fixed income security may be unable to make interest payments and/or repay principal in a timely manner. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Fixed income securities with longer maturities or duration generally are more sensitive to interest rate changes. • Fluctuations in exchange rates between currencies may cause the value of an investment to decline. Some currencies may have low liquidity which may prevent the fund from effecting positions at favorable rates, thus subjecting the fund or strategy to substantial losses. • Foreign securities (particularly in emerging markets) may be adversely affected by political instability, changes in currency exchange rates, inefficient markets and higher transaction costs, foreign economic conditions, the imposition of economic or trade sanctions, or inadequate or different regulatory and accounting standards. • High yield securities ("junk bonds") are subject to reduced creditworthiness of issuers, increased risk of default, and a more limited and less liquid secondary market. High yield securities may also be subject to greater price volatility and risk of loss of income and principal than higher-rated securities. • The fund or strategy is subject to liquidity risk, which is the risk that the fund or strategy's investments cannot be readily sold within seven calendar days at approximately the price at which the fund or strategy has valued them. • The principal on a fixed income security may be prepaid prior to maturity, which may require reinvestment at a lower interest rate. • Restricted securities may be less liquid and harder to value than unrestricted securities. Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. The ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index tracks the performance of US dollar-denominated high yield corporate debt publicly issued in the US domestic market, but caps individual issuer exposure at 2% of the benchmark. The ICE BofA Euro High Yield Index tracks the performance of euro-denominated below-investment-grade corporate debt publicly issued in the euro domestic or Eurobond markets. The ICE BofA US Cash Pay High Yield Index tracks the performance of US dollar-denominated below-investment-grade corporate debt, currently in a coupon paying period, that is publicly issued in the US domestic market. Qualifying securities must have at least 18 months to final maturity at the time of issuance, at least one-year remaining term to final maturity as of the rebalancing date, a fixed coupon schedule, and a minimum amount outstanding of $250 million. The ICE BofA US Dollar Global High Yield Index tracks the performance of US dollar-denominated below-investment-grade corporate debt publicly issued in the US domestic and Eurobond markets. This document may mention bond ratings published by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) Standard & Poor's, Moody's Investors Service, and Fitch, Inc. Bonds rated AAA are rated as having the highest quality and are generally considered to have the lowest degree of investment risk. Bonds rated AA are considered to be of high quality, but with a slightly higher degree of risk than bonds rated AAA. Bonds rated A are considered to have many favorable investment qualities, though they are somewhat more susceptible to adverse economic conditions. Bonds rated BBB are believed to be of medium-grade quality and generally riskier over the long term. Bonds rated BB, B, and CCC are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, with BB indicating the least degree of speculation of the three. Institutional Class shares, Class R shares, Class R6 shares, and Class Y shares are available only to certain investors. See the prospectus for more information. Nothing presented should be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security or follow any investment technique or strategy. All third-party marks cited are the property of their respective owners. Nomura Asset Management is part of the Investment Management Division of the Nomura Group, providing integrated public and private market asset management services across equities, fixed income, private credit and multi-asset solutions to intermediary and institutional clients. Nomura Asset Management primarily operates through several distinct investment managers, which includes Nomura Investment Management Business Trust (NIMBT), a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered investment adviser. Investment advisory services are provided to the Nomura Funds by Delaware Management Company, a series of NIMBT. The Nomura Funds are distributed by Delaware Distributors, L.P., a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and an affiliate of NIMBT. Document must be used in its entirety. © 2026 Nomura Asset Management International Inc.
Share Class 1Q26 1 YTD 1 1 year 3 year 5 year 10 year Lifetime Inception date Expense ratio Gross Net 2 Institutional -1.91 -1.91 5.33 6.42 2.84 5.37 6.13 4/2/2007 0.71% 0.63% A (at NAV) -1.97 -1.97 5.07 6.16 2.60 5.12 6.25 7/3/2000 0.96% 0.88% A (at Offer) 3 -6.37 -6.37 0.42 4.52 1.40 4.50 6.00 R -2.03 -2.03 4.80 5.89 2.31 4.78 3.91 12/19/2012 1.21% 1.13% R6 -2.05 -2.05 5.42 6.49 2.93 5.50 4.02 7/31/2014 0.62% 0.54% ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index -0.55 -0.55 6.90 8.50 4.20 6.04 —
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