Tactical Asset Allocation Research

Does diversification always benefit investors? No.

This article examines the extent to which these assumptions hold and the extent to which investors should want them to hold.  The authors deliver a clever quote from Mark Twain (or maybe it was Robert Frost) that nails the issue in simple terms: “Diversification behaves like the banker who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining but wants it back the minute it begins to rain”. Nicely expressed!

DIY Asset Allocation Weights: February 2022

Full exposure to domestic equities. Half exposure to international equities. Full exposure to REITs. Full exposure to commodities. No exposure to intermediate-term bonds.

The Best Strategies for Dealing with Inflation? Factors and Trend-Following

Inflation -- what's that? ... It has been quite a while since inflation has been considered a problem. Today, however, the angst surrounding the possibility of a resurgence in inflation is real and “top of mind” for investors.   If the current fear becomes a reality, how should investors react? What strategies and asset classes perform well in a rising inflationary environment? If inflation does resurge beyond a temporary phase, how should investors restructure or reposition their portfolios? The purpose of this article is to provide context for those decisions.

Asset Allocation and Private Market (i.e. illiquid) Investing

Allocations to illiquid assets have become increasingly popular requiring asset managers to consider portfolio-wide liquidity characteristics. Although determining the price of illiquidity is a challenge for investors, the construction of a portfolio that includes liquidity constraints can be even more daunting. How do we optimize asset allocation with liquidity as a significant constraint on the portfolio?

DIY Asset Allocation Weights: January 2022

Current Exposures:

  • Full exposure to domestic equities.
  • Full exposure to international equities.
  • Full exposure to REITs.
  • Full exposure to commodities.
  • No exposure to intermediate-term bonds.

Interesting Insights into How Endowments Invest

Despite their popularity and the ease of access to university-based endowments, there is little in the academic literature about the history of endowment investing. In this article, the authors aim at filling this gap.

The Relationship Between the Value Premium and Interest Rates

We've been suffering through the deepest and longest drawdown in values history. Looking for a scapegoat to explain the lackluster performance many have pointed to low interest rates as the root cause of the underperformance. The question is have interest rates impacted value in the past?

DIY Asset Allocation Weights: December 2021

Current Exposures:

  • Full exposure to domestic equities.
  • Half exposure to international equities.
  • Full exposure to REITs.
  • Full exposure to commodities.
  • Half exposure to intermediate-term bonds.

The Value of the Value Factor: Cheaper now than a year ago?

About a year and a half ago, after one of the worst relative drawdowns the value factor has ever seen, I wrote a piece showing the value factor was cheap relative to history. Since then, value strategies are on a solid run (look at pretty much any type of value strategy and I think you'd agree). Today? The valuation spread between the cheapest 10% and the universe of stocks is cheaper. We are at levels beyond 1999 by some measures.

Global Factor Performance: November 2021

The following factor performance modules have been updated on our Index website.[ref]free access for financial professionals[/ref] Standardized PerformanceFactor PerformanceFactor ExposuresFactor PremiumsFactor AttributionFactor Data Downloads

DIY Asset Allocation Weights: November 2021

Do-It-Yourself tactical asset allocation weights for the Robust Asset Allocation Index are posted here. (Note: free registration required) Request a free account here if you [...]

Do factors have a role in asset allocation?

The Role of Factors in Asset Allocation Mark KritzmanJournal of Portfolio ManagementA version of this paper can be found hereWant to read our summaries of academic [...]

Global Factor Performance: October 2021

The following factor performance modules have been updated on our Index website.[ref]free access for financial professionals[/ref] Standardized PerformanceFactor PerformanceFactor ExposuresFactor PremiumsFactor AttributionFactor Data Downloads

DIY Asset Allocation Weights: October 2021

Do-It-Yourself tactical asset allocation weights for the Robust Asset Allocation Index are posted here. (Note: free registration required) Request a free account here if you [...]

Global Factor Performance: September 2021

The following factor performance modules have been updated on our Index website.[ref]free access for financial professionals[/ref] Standardized PerformanceFactor PerformanceFactor ExposuresFactor PremiumsFactor AttributionFactor Data Downloads

DIY Asset Allocation Weights: September 2021

Do-It-Yourself tactical asset allocation weights for the Robust Asset Allocation Index are posted here. (Note: free registration required) Request a free account here if you [...]

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