Why Diversifier Strategies Matter

   

Diversifier strategies seek to strengthen portfolios by functioning as a separate asset class, distinct from stocks and bonds. They target investment returns that are traditionally less affected by market movements, attempting to support portfolios in times of stress. Investors should consider judging diversifiers by the level of risk management they provide when traditional strategies aren’t working.

Most people are familiar with traditional stock and bond diversification: Holding both stocks and bonds is historically a proven way to shield against volatility. For example, in the first half of 2020, a 60-40 portfolio has nearly returned to par after the COVID-19 bear market, while the S&P 500 is still down year to date. This ability to bounce back can be the mark of strong diversification.

After this year’s swoon, many investors are re-learning what diversification means. Not everything in a portfolio should be rising all the time; a diversified portfolio often contains assets that are not always moving with the broad market.

Diversifier strategies tend to take risk management a step further, extending beyond traditional stock and bond allocations to further boost risk management. Below we show that adding a tactical fixed income trend following diversifier strategy to a 60-40 portfolio extended the benefits of diversifying from all stocks to stocks and bonds.

Traditional 60-40 vs. 45-25-30 with High Yield Strategy – Performance

Traditional 60/40 vs 45/25/30 with Diversifiers
Source: Morningstar. Displayed above are scenarios using the S&P 500 Index to represent “Stocks,” the Bloomberg Barclays US Treasury 7-10 Year Index to represent “Treasuries,” and a High Yield Strategy in various combinations. The High Yield Strategy is defined by buying the Morningstar High Yield Category when it closes above its 200-day moving average the prior day. The strategy entirely switches to exposure of the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-5 Year Total Return Index when the Morningstar High Yield Category closes below its 200-day moving average.

The above 45%/25%/30% Stocks/Bonds/Diversifier blend illustrates the potential risk-smoothing benefits one can potentially experience by taking away 15% from both the stock and bond part of the portfolio and allocating it to a diversifier.

Just as adding bonds to a portfolio strengthened its risk profile amid downturns, a diversifier strategy made a stock and bond portfolio even more robust. History shows a diversifier strategy can improve portfolio drawdown performance without a major sacrifice of long-run performance.

Traditional 60-40 vs. 45-25-30 with High Yield Strategy – Drawdown

Drawdown Performance Traditional 60/40 vs 45/25/30 with Diversifiers
Source: Morningstar.

Yet the benefit remains: A diversifier strategy aimed at reducing drawdowns can help amid market stress, when investors may need to access portfolio assets or when advisors are hunting for bargains. Because of their unique role, diversifiers do not always perform in lock step with traditional asset classes. No strategy works all the time, and prudent risk management often means not every investment should be providing strong returns simultaneously.

Systematic diversifier strategies attempt to support portfolios in volatile markets. Although many diversifiers may lag amid strongly trending bull markets, the right strategy seeks to lower volatility of returns, reduce capital drawdowns, and enable managers to invest opportunistically when markets are stressed. Diversifier strategies often help advisors prepare for adversity. They can also position advisors to be proactive when markets provide fundamental opportunities.

Important Risk Information

Investments cannot be made in an index. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. There is no guarantee that any investment will achieve its objectives, generate positive returns, or avoid losses. The Adviser’s reliance on its strategy and judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities and the tactical allocation among investments may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market.

Index Definitions

The S&P 500 is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities and serves as and captures approximately 80% coverage of available US equity market capitalization. Fixed Income allocation is represented by the Bloomberg Barclays US Treasury 7-10 Year Index, which measures total return of US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate, nominal debt issued by the US Treasury with 7-9.9999 years to maturity.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the funds managed by Counterpoint Mutual Funds. This and other important information about the funds are available in their prospectuses, which can be obtained at counterpointfunds.com or by calling 844-273-8637. The prospectuses should be read carefully before investing. The Counterpoint Mutual Funds fund family is distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC member FINRA/SIPC. Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC is not affiliated with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC member FINRA/SIPC.

© 2020 Morningstar. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

3615-NLD-5/26/2020

Recent Perspectives

Mutual Funds involve risk including the possible loss of principal. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the funds managed by Counterpoint Funds. This and other important information about the funds is available in their prospectuses, which can be obtained at counterpointfunds.com or by calling 844-273-8637. The prospectuses should be read carefully before investing. The Counterpoint Funds fund family is distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC member FINRA/SIPC. To reach the Counterpoint sales team, please refer to our contact page.

5516-NLD-09/01/2021

 

 

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