Using commodities as a tactical portfolio diversifier
Using commodities as a tactical portfolio diversifier
An investment in commodities could be timely, given the current relationship to historical prices. A tactical approach that mitigates risk makes sense in light of market uncertainties and the potential for dramatic price swings.
On your mark, get set, co … mmodities!
The past few years have been a difficult period for commodities when compared to U.S. stocks and bonds.
A number of factors could be contributing to this, including a global growth slowdown (particularly in emerging markets), oversupply in certain commodities, no inflation to speak of, and historically low volatility (up until the past month).
However, sentiment might be shifting in light of the tailwinds emerging for commodities—especially the improvement in the global growth story. It might be time for commodities to come out of the blocks in impressive fashion.
Reversion to the mean
Commodities are currently the cheapest they have been relative to the S&P 500 within the last 50 years. The S&P GSCI/S&P 500 price ratio helps illustrate this point (Figure 1).
FIGURE 1: S&P GSCI/S&P 500 RATIO—EQUITIES EXPENSIVE, COMMODITIES CHEAP?
One can make the case that an investment in commodities might be timely when considering their current value, as well as their historic averages. Additionally, emerging markets, which are major suppliers and consumers of commodities, were going through a difficult performance period relative to other equity markets. That tide started to turn in 2017, as emerging markets represented some of the stronger performing equity markets. This could be a good sign for a potential rebound in commodity markets.
When looking at a Callan chart that includes alternative asset classes, one can see the underperformance of commodities both on an absolute, as well as relative basis, over the last 10 years (Table 1).
TABLE 1: CALLAN CHART OF RELATIVE ASSET CLASS PERFORMANCE (2008–2017)
Demand starting to exceed supply
The primary drivers of commodity price appreciation are supply and demand. Right now, the conditions of demand to supply are more favorable than they have been in the last six years, as the demand/supply ratio is currently slightly above one. This has also resulted in the futures curve being the narrowest it’s been over the last few years, which produces less contango and potential backwardation in a number of futures markets. (“Backwardation” is when the futures price is below the spot price for a particular commodity. If the spot price is lower than the futures price, the market is in “contango.”)
U.S. dollar index retracing
The U.S. Trade Weighted Broad Dollar Index had its worst calendar year since 2011. Historically, commodities have a somewhat inverse correlation to the Index, and a weakening dollar can lead to higher commodity prices, as shown in Figure 2.
FIGURE 2: REVERSING TRENDS? STRONG BUCK, WEAK COMMODITIES
Inflation worries and higher interest rates
Commodities have tended to perform better during inflationary periods, and, more often than not, a rising GDP has coincided with higher U.S. Treasury yields.
When looking at U.S. 10-year Treasury yields over the last 50 years, in roughly 80% of those calendar years, inflation and Treasury yields have moved in tandem. In other words, when GDP increased in a given calendar year, that also represented an increase in Treasury yields. Commodities are a way to potentially diversify an overall portfolio in a rising rate environment.
FIGURE 3: LONG-TERM U.S. TREASURY RATES AND INFLATION
A tactical approach to commodities investing
Commodities can be volatile in nature and can experience significant gains and declines. In addition, individual commodities can behave differently from one year to the next. There can be a divergence in performance between different categories of commodities as shown in Table 2. This further illustrates the need for active, tactical strategies that are nimble and responsive to current market conditions when allocating to commodities.
TABLE 2: COMMODITY RETURNS RANKED IN ORDER OF PERFORMANCE (2008–2017)
The changing nature of commodity performance, both as a total asset class and by individual components, points to the importance of investing in a commodity strategy that has the ability to be tactical in nature, smoothing out the ride. The Direxion Indexed Commodity Strategy Fund (DXCIX) and Direxion Auspice Broad Commodity Strategy ETF (COM) seek to track the rules-based Auspice Broad Commodity Index (ABCERI). This Index can be long or in cash with each of the individual 12 commodities that make up the Index, offering a tactical approach versus one that is long-only. Since the ABCERI Index went live in the latter part of 2010, it has outperformed notable long-only commodity benchmarks over that time, with lower risk characteristics.
TABLE 3: ABCERI INDEX VERSUS S&P GSCI, DBC, AND BCOM INDEXES (10/31/10–12/31/17)
A role for commodities in risk-managed, diversified portfolios
Over the long term, commodities have shown the ability to be less correlated to stocks or bonds than one might expect, making commodities a potentially good diversifier within an overall risk-managed portfolio. In addition, during certain bear market periods in stocks and bonds, commodities have shown positive returns. While managing investment portfolios for clients should have a long-term focus, it is important to have the ability to be tactical at times, especially when it comes to the ongoing management of the overall asset allocation.
In the case of commodities, it is imperative to be nimble, as the price swings can be severe. While the story of 2018 has yet to be written, the uncertainties around global currency relationships, inflation, bond yields, geopolitics, and actions out of Washington—especially on trade policy—place great importance on the risk mitigation that can be afforded by an actively managed investment approach.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Proactive Advisor Magazine. These opinions are presented for educational purposes only.
An investor should carefully consider a Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. A Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Direxion Shares. To obtain a Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus call 866-476-7523 or visit direxioninvestments.com. A Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.
Edward (Ed) Egilinsky is managing director, head of sales and distribution, and head of alternative investments at Direxion. He focuses on global product implementation, promotes ETF education and strategy, and manages the Direxion ETF sales team. As head of alternative investments, Mr. Egilinsky drives the firm’s product development initiatives, messaging, and support of product delivery. Mr. Egilinsky previously worked in leadership roles at Price Asset Management and Rydex Investments.
