How Vanguard Total Bond's Low Tracking Error Is Achieved [View article]
Hi Boomstick,
I agree that it was confusing.
In the draft that I turned submitted, I had indicated the abbreviation as (Agg) so that I wouldn't have to type the whole word out each time. I don't know if it was a human or computer editor that capitalized all of the letters, but it does look like the iShares ticker symbol.
I was intending to compare BND to the Barclays Aggregate Index (the old Lehman) and not the iShares product.
Hedge Fund ETFs: Replication or the Real Thing? [View article]
MEA CULPA: I would like to be the first to report that I made a material error in my article when describing the methodology that IndexIQ uses to weight the various sub-strategies in their multi-strategy hedge fund replication ETF, QAI.
In the article above, I wrote that like many hedge fund replication funds, QAI weights their sub-strategies by how much money is invested in that strategy and this is not true. Last night, the good folks at IndexIQ contacted me to let me know that they agree that this is not an optimal strategy and provided me with the methodology that they do use to weight QAI.
In short, QAI weights their six replicated strategies based on the blend that is expected to produce the highest return with the lowest volatility – not based on the market weight as I wrote in the article. A complete write-up on their methodology can be found here:
TIPS vs. Treasury Bonds: The 5 Year Outlook [View article]
Absolutely correct. I am not sure what I was thinking (late night), but the error is mine. The figures are good, but reflect years. I will request that SA make the change. My apologies for the mistake.
Looking for Value in Emerging Markets With Global X Funds [View article]
The good folks at Global X Funds were kind enough to send me a presentation prepared by Russell Investments that referred to data going back for ten years, ending on Sep 30, 2010. It was a performance summary, so I couldn't see volatility, but it did show value outperforming growth over that ten year period. The growth index gained 9.3% and the Value index gained 16.3%. They also show a 'pure' growth index that gained 10.1% and a 'pure' value index that gained 18.6%. For the same period, RAFI index gained 17.58% and the DFA Emerging Value fund gained 18.53%.
4 Safe Fixed-Income Funds for Retirees in 2011 [View article]
Junk bonds safe? Hardly. Junk bonds have a very high correlation with stocks (upwards of 90%) and lost 20% or better in 2008. It is true that they rebounded nicely, but for a retiree looking for safety, my belief is that they would bail on the strategy at the worst moment.
I was shocked when I saw that PowerShares had deliberately tried to co-opt the brand value that SPDR Select had earned with their ticker symbols. I am glad that the settled and changed their tickers. Everyone knows that tickers have value: think LUV, BUD, CAT or even GM for stocks. ETFs aren't any different: CUT, AGG and my favorite, TUZ. Here is an interesting post from a terrific contributor a few years back about how stocks with clever ticker symbols have outperformed the overall market. seekingalpha.com/artic...
In retrospect, I wish that I had remembered to mention that WMW is off to a strong start this year. While the S&P 500 gained 2.37% in January, WMW gained 6.29%.
Is the RAFI Long-Short Index ETF a Good Investment? [View article]
I would think of it as isolating the 'value' element embedded in the fundamental indexing strategy. In theory, you are removing the market beta and investing in the value premium plus cash.
Why the Long-Short VIX ETN Merits Attention [View article]
Hi Peter, Looking at that sentance in isolation, it is pretty jargony - sorry!
Basically, you can't invest in the VIX itself, you have to invest in futures contracts. Each month your contract expires and you have to roll it into a new contract.
If the cost of contracts in the future is more expensive than the current front-month contract, then rolling the contract is an expense and that market is said to be in contango.
The best place to look is at the CBOE, but you will have to register and login. Here is the link:
Why the Long-Short VIX ETN Merits Attention [View article]
I think your analysis is correct, Dom. For market timing, which I don recommend, you are better off with VXX quick will be a terrible buy and hold investment. XVIX won't be nearly as protective in a panic (it lost in the fall of 2008) but could be a long term investment. Best, Dave
Japan's Mrs. Watanabe Says: 'Hold off on Carry Trade' [View article]
You are absolutely right. This has been edited and reads correctly now. Thank you for the catch.
Best,
Dave
Is the RAFI Long-Short Index ETF a Good Investment? [View article]
Thanks for your note - I just picked it up today.
I don't know about RAFI's claims in general, but I do think the fundamental indexing is a form of value indexing, which can be a very good thing.
You are right about how to define returns. When I said that, I was referring to total return.
Best,
Dave
How Vanguard Total Bond's Low Tracking Error Is Achieved [View article]
I agree that it was confusing.
In the draft that I turned submitted, I had indicated the abbreviation as (Agg) so that I wouldn't have to type the whole word out each time. I don't know if it was a human or computer editor that capitalized all of the letters, but it does look like the iShares ticker symbol.
I was intending to compare BND to the Barclays Aggregate Index (the old Lehman) and not the iShares product.
Thanks for your note.
Best,
Dave
Hedge Fund ETFs: Replication or the Real Thing? [View article]
In the article above, I wrote that like many hedge fund replication funds, QAI weights their sub-strategies by how much money is invested in that strategy and this is not true. Last night, the good folks at IndexIQ contacted me to let me know that they agree that this is not an optimal strategy and provided me with the methodology that they do use to weight QAI.
In short, QAI weights their six replicated strategies based on the blend that is expected to produce the highest return with the lowest volatility – not based on the market weight as I wrote in the article. A complete write-up on their methodology can be found here:
www.indexiq.com/docs/i...
I regret the error and want to apologize to IndexIQ for the mistake.
Sincerely,
David Ott
A Great Decade for the S&P 500 . . . No, Really [View article]
TIPS vs. Treasury Bonds: The 5 Year Outlook [View article]
TIPS vs. Treasury Bonds: The 5 Year Outlook [View article]
Best,
Dave Ott
TIPS vs. Treasury Bonds: The 5 Year Outlook [View article]
Looking for Value in Emerging Markets With Global X Funds [View article]
4 Safe Fixed-Income Funds for Retirees in 2011 [View article]
SPDR, PowerShares Settle ETF Ticker Dispute [View article]
Everyone knows that tickers have value: think LUV, BUD, CAT or even GM for stocks. ETFs aren't any different: CUT, AGG and my favorite, TUZ.
Here is an interesting post from a terrific contributor a few years back about how stocks with clever ticker symbols have outperformed the overall market.
seekingalpha.com/artic...
Elements Morningstar Wide Moat Focus ETN Successfully Navigates Tough Waters [View article]
Is the RAFI Long-Short Index ETF a Good Investment? [View article]
Why the Long-Short VIX ETN Merits Attention [View article]
Looking at that sentance in isolation, it is pretty jargony - sorry!
Basically, you can't invest in the VIX itself, you have to invest in futures contracts. Each month your contract expires and you have to roll it into a new contract.
If the cost of contracts in the future is more expensive than the current front-month contract, then rolling the contract is an expense and that market is said to be in contango.
The best place to look is at the CBOE, but you will have to register and login. Here is the link:
www.cboe.com/data/Vola...
Best,
Dave
Why the Long-Short VIX ETN Merits Attention [View article]