Market Update and Model Portfolio Reviews 10/31/2017
For the month of October, domestic large cap equities were up 2.33%, making it the 2nd strongest month-over-month return this year. Domestic investment grade bonds performed in a modestly positive manner at 0.06%. The 10-year Treasury moved up just under 5 basis points over the month. Hong Kong and Japanese Stocks continued their strong returns, booking returns of 32.44% and 21.72%, respectively, year-to-date (Hang Seng Index and Tokyo Price Index – Morningstar). The S&P 500 Total Return Index is having its second best year, dating back to full year 2000 when we ignore the two years that were recovery years (2009 – Financial Crisis Recovery and 2003 - Dot Com Bubble Recovery). It’s important to note that we have not made it through the full year. On a long run historical average we are well above our average annualized returns relative to the index; but returns, of course, are not linear over time.
Almost 25% of the market capitalization of the S&P 500 Index was IT (Information Technology) at month-end. YTD, IT under GICS within the S&P 500 has returned 37.24%. If you back out both IT and Telecom (Telecommunication Services), then YTD Returns on the S&P 500 TR would fall from 16.91% to 12.36%. Amazon is included in that 12.36% and as of month-end accounted for nearly 2% of the S&P 500 TR Index by market capitalization. Amazon is up by 47.4% YTD, giving the S&P 500 almost 1% of the 16.91% year-to-date return. Bottom line: the top 5 largest companies by market cap in the S&P 500 TR index have all returned at least 30% YTD and are attributable for nearly 1/3rd of the total returns in the S&P 500 TR YTD.
We see risk in the yield curve for longer maturity fixed income instruments as lower than previously estimated. We remain mindful of interest rate risk (duration), but we would expect the yield curve to continue to flatten with short-term rates continuing to rise and longer maturity fixed income rates rising modestly at best. The exception to this expectation breaking down is outlined on the next page under the forward rate path expectations on the 10-Year Treasury Bond. We continue to benefit from rising short-term rates with our exposures to investment grade floating instruments and non investment grade floating instruments. A flat to negative yield curve has often led to recessions.
Month over month, five of the eight model portfolios yielded positive results net of fees, and all lagged their respective benchmarks when accounting for fees. The relative underperformance is attributed to the negative safe haven allocations (Gold and Long Yen to Dollar), Staples, spreads widening in sovereign debt, strengthening dollar and closed end fund premiums compressing and discounts widening. Positive attribution was lead again this month from our overweight to regional banks and thrifts. Our unhedged U.K. allocation was positive and still modestly outperformed our equity benchmark on a YTD basis, yet lagged this month due to relative strength of the dollar vs. sterling. Other asset class sleeves with positive attributions worth noting included exposures to Convertible Bonds, Mid Cap Equities and Large Cap Equities reweighted for lower volatility. The risk off strategies are intended to outperform in modestly positive, flat, and negative market environments. We expect relative underperformance if markets deliver average historical returns or strong bull market-like returns.
See “Model Disclosure” page for important disclosures and information – Period Measured 12/30/2016 – 10/30/2017. Model Performance presented net of highest advisory fee and trading costs.
What is bigger: the U.S. debt market or equity market? It may surprise you, given how much headlines focus on stocks. We spend a lot of time focusing on interest rates, which can admittedly be dry as a standalone topic. Let’s put a few things in perspective regarding the U.S. capital markets (securitized debt & equity). As of the end of 2016, U.S. Bond Market Debt was approximately 38% larger than the entire U.S. Equity market.* When equity/investment analysts try to figure out how to price the value of an asset, they generally will look to estimate what the future free cash flow will be to the investor and then use a rate to discount (opposite of compounding rates) those cash flows to “today’s” value. If an investor is going to accept any risk outside of treasuries, then they will demand that the rate is above the going rate of the treasury rate (as compensation for risk). The big point is that rates on treasury securities are generally the foundation of pricing of most other assets, even if we do not believe we can see it. If you are trying to value what a cash flow is 10 years from now, then you would mostly likely use the 10-year treasury rate as the minimum rate of required return plus the risk of the uncertainty of the cash flow (5-year cash flow would be rate on 5-year treasury.
Of the more commonly referenced benchmarks for pricing equities and 30 year mortgages is the 10-year Treasury Bond Yield (rate). With the financial crisis came multiple rounds of quantitative easing and now comes the time for “unwinding” the historical balance sheet that the Federal Reserve has built up. We are officially in Fed balance sheet unwind mode. To put this in perspective, the Federal Reserve had nearly $4.5 trillion of assets on their balance sheet as of the end of 2016, which is equivalent to over 10% of the total outstanding U.S. Bond market.* 10% is a large number relative to the U.S. bond market and market participants naturally question as to how this “unwinding” would work. Selling supply back into the market when demand cannot meet it causes prices to fall and rates to rise (on Treasuries). This causes investors’ required rates of returns to increase, and all else equal, is not positive for broad based equities, corporate bonds, and most of the other items listed above in the total U.S. Capital Markets Outstanding. Late in September, the federal reserve provided an update to a well documented (and for investment professionals reasonable inputs for modeling, see - Model of 10 year Treasury rate at specific periods through 2025) framework for how the “unwind” will take place. Using the September month end rate on the 10-Year Treasury Bond and the projections of the SOMA portfolio, above is our forward rate path on the 10 Year Treasury Bond at various points of time. Although the guidance highlights the limitations of this approach, we want to highlight two timely topics: 1) with a new Fed Chair replacing Janet Yellen comes the opportunity to change course of the FOMC reinvestment policy; and 2) as we highlighted last month, larger than expected public deficit increases through Tax Reform would likely put additional supply of public debt (Treasuries) leading to added inflationary pressures and drive yields higher to offset fiscal stimulus. Those two aspects are the primary variables that would require the most recalibrating of the Term Premium Effect of the 10 Year Treasury Rate modeled above.
DISCLOSURE (Click links for sources. If in print, sources available upon request). Calculations & Definitions available upon request.
Disclosure WARRANTIES & DISCLAIMERS There are no warranties implied. Alternative Capitalis, LLC (“RIA Firm”) is a registered investment adviser located in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Alternative Capitalis, LLC may only transact business in those states in which it is registered, or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Alternative Capitalis, LLC’s presentation is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to its advisory services, together with access to additional investment-related information, publications, and links. Accordingly, the publication of Alternative Capitalis, LLC’s presentation should not be construed by any consumer and/or prospective client as Alternative Capitalis, LLC’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, over the presentation. Any subsequent, direct communication by Alternative Capitalis, LLC with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. For information pertaining to the registration status of Alternative Capitalis, LLC, please contact the state securities regulators for those states in which Alternative Capitalis, LLC maintains a registration filing. A copy of Alternative Capitalis, LLC’s current written disclosure statement discussing Alternative Capitalis, LLC’s business operations, services, and fees is available at the SEC’s investment adviser public information website – www.adviserinfo.sec.gov or from Alternative Capitalis, LLC upon written request. Alternative Capitalis, LLC does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to Alternative Capitalis, LLC’s presentation or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility therefor. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. This presentation and information are provided for guidance and information purposes only. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy. This presentation and information are not intended to provide investment, tax, or legal advice.
Model Disclosure
Alternative Capitalis, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented herein is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Model Performance Disclosure: The performance shown represents only the results of Alternative Capitalis, LLC’s model portfolios for the relevant time period and do not represent the results of actual trading of investor assets. Model portfolio performance is the result of the application of the Alternative Capitalis, LLC’s proprietary investment process. Model performance has inherent limitations. The results are theoretical and do not reflect any investor’s actual experience with owning, trading or managing an actual investment account. Thus, the performance shown does not reflect the impact that material economic and market factors had or might have had on decision making if actual investor money had been managed. Model portfolio performance is shown net of the model advisory fee of 1%, the highest fee charged by Alternative Capitalis, LLC and sample trading costs based on our Custodian’s, TD Ameritrade Institutional, trading costs. Performance does not reflect the deduction of other fees or expenses, including but not limited to brokerage fees, custodial fees and fees and expenses charged by mutual funds and other investment companies. Performance results shown include the reinvestment of dividends and interest on cash balances where applicable. The data used to calculate the model performance was obtained from sources deemed reliable and then organized and presented by Alternative Capitalis, LLC. The performance calculations have not been audited by any third party. Actual performance of client portfolios may differ materially due to the timing related to additional client deposits or withdrawals and the actual deployment and investment of a client portfolio, the reinvestment of dividends, the length of time various positions are held, the client’s objectives and restrictions, and fees and expenses incurred by any specific individual portfolio. The performance calculations are based on a hypothetical investment of $100,000 for both the model and benchmarks presented. Benchmarks: The Ultra Aggressive Risk Off performance results shown are compared to the performance of the performance of a blended ETF (exchange-traded-fund) portfolio comprised of the following two ETF’s symbols, SPY & AGG, are described below. The ETF symbol SPY (SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust) which seeks to provide investment results that, before expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P 500® Index (the "Index"). Visit https://us.spdrs.com/en/etf/spdr-sp-500-etf-SPY for more information about the ETF. The S&P 500® Index results do not reflect fees and expenses and you typically cannot invest in an index. The ETF symbol AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF). The iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of the total U.S. investment-grade bond market. (the "Index"). Visit https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239458/ishares-core-total-us-bond-market-etf for more information about the ETF. The index composed of the total U.S. investment-grade bond market results do not reflect fees and expenses and you typically cannot invest in an index. The benchmark is blended representing a weighting of ninety (90%) percent to SPY and ten (10%) to AGG. Unless otherwise indicated, the benchmarks are not rebalanced to maintain their original weighting. Instead, they are comprised of the starting allocation and will shift given the prevailing market environment over the period measured. Return Comparison: Explanation of why benchmark was chosen. To benchmark the results, the ETF (exchange-traded-fund) symbol SPY (SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust) which seeks to provide investment results that, before expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P 500® Index (the "Index"). The S&P 500 was chosen as it is generally well recognized as an indicator or representation of the stock market in general and includes a cross section of equity holdings. In addition, the ETF symbol AGG was chosen as a benchmark. The iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of the total U.S. investment-grade bond market. The total U.S. investment-grade bond market was chosen as it is generally well recognized as an indicator or representation of the bond market in general and includes a cross section of debt holdings.
The results do not represent actual trading and actual results may significantly differ from the theoretical results presented.