Momentum Portfolio August Update
In 2011, Scott's Investments began tracking a momentum portfolio which ranks a basket of ETFs based on price momentum and volatility. In 2014 I also introduced a pure momentum system, which ranked the same basket of ETFs based solely on price momentum. Both strategies have undergone minor revisions over the years but the key elements remain.
The strategies in their current form begin by screening a basket of these 10 ETFs:
| RWX | SPDR DJ International Real Estate |
| PCY | PowerShares Emerging Mkts Bond |
| EFA | iShares MSCI EAFE |
| EEM | iShares MSCI Emerging Markets |
| VNQ | Vanguard MSCI U.S. REIT |
| TIP | iShares Barclays TIPS |
| VTI | Vanguard MSCI Total U.S. Stock Market |
| GLD | SPDR Gold Shares |
| TLT | iShares Barclays Long-Term Trsry |
| SHY | iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Treasry Bnd Fd |
The ETFs in the "Conservative Momentum" system are still ranked by 6-month total returns (weighted 34%), 3-month total returns (weighted 33%), and 3-month price volatility (weighted 33%). The top 3 are purchased at the beginning of each month and if a holding drops out of the top 3 at the next month's rebalance it is replaced.
Pure Momentum System
The pure momentum system ranks ETFs based on 5-month price momentum. There is no cash filter in the pure momentum system, volatility ranking, or requirement to limit turnover. The portfolio and rankings are posted on the same spreadsheet as the Conservative Momentum strategy.
A free option for backtesting these strategies is available at Portfolio Visualizer.
The conservative momentum system has turnover in one position this month. SHY, a holding representing cash since 3/30/2018, was sold and the proceeds used to purchase VNQ.
The pure momentum system has turnover in two positions. TIP, a holding since 7/1/18, was sold for a capital loss of 1.57%. SHY, a holding since 5/31/18, was also sold. The proceeds were used to purchase RWX and VTI.
The current portfolios are below:
Conservative Momentum
| Position | Shares | Avg Purchase Price | Purchase Date | Cost Basis | Current Value | Percentage Gain/Loss Excluding Dividends |
| VTI | 34 | 140.43 | 6/29/2018 | $4,774.62 | $4,927.28 | 3.20% |
| TIP | 43 | 111.79 | 5/1/2018 | $4,806.97 | $4,777.30 | -0.62% |
| VNQ | 58 | 82.52 | 8/1/2018 | $4,786.16 | $4,786.16 | 0.00% |
Pure Momentum
| Position | Shares | Purchase Price | Purchase Date | Cost Basis | Current Value | Percentage Gain/Loss Excluding Dividends |
| RWX | 94 | 39.5 | 8/1/2018 | $3,713.00 | $3,713.00 | 0.00% |
| VTI | 26 | 144.92 | 8/1/2018 | $3,767.92 | $3,767.92 | 0.00% |
| VNQ | 45 | 81.45 | 7/1/2018 | $3,665.25 | $3,713.40 | 1.31% |
Disclosures: None.
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