Author: Nicholas

This author has written 75 articles
Read more about the article Portfolio Update – November 2022

Portfolio Update – November 2022

The US headline inflation rate is still coming down from high levels, having come in at 7.1% for November, and is in a clearly falling trend. This is evident also from the Month-over-Month number, which remains low at 0.1%. This has led to easier communication from the Fed for smaller rate hikes (not to be confused with a "Fed pivot", which requires rate cuts). But, the "higher for longer" narrative emphasized in the December FOMC meeting press conference was a wet blanket for equity markets.

Another part of the inflation story, which must not be forgotten, is the relationship between cost of living versus the development of wages. See the chart below, which depicts this difference since the autumn of 2020, which clearly shows that the average American has in real terms become poorer, as the wages have not kept up with costs. Additionally, that gap is widening, which can be a contributor to a coming recession, as a salary does not buy as much goods, after utility bills, interest on mortgages, and food.

As for my All Seasons Portfolios' performance in November 2022, this was finally a good month with gains of more than 5%, after a rather difficult 2022 YTD. Check out this monthly portfolio update post to learn more about it, and where we are in the macroeconomic cycle.

Continue ReadingPortfolio Update – November 2022
Read more about the article eToro Post – Outlook for Commodities from Q3 2022

eToro Post – Outlook for Commodities from Q3 2022

  • Post author:
  • Post category:eToro
  • Post comments:0 Comments
  • Reading time:15 mins read

A recent interview with Goldman Sachs global head of Commodities Research, Jeff Curie, on Meb Faber’s podcast (episode 445: https://mebfaber.com/2022/09/26/e445-jeff-currie/, available on most podcast apps) caught my interest with a summary of the commodities outlook and where we are in a commodity supercycle with current underinvestment in the supply side

The main take out from this interview is that this last year’s increase in commodity prices is not caused by Russia, but the underlying structural issues were caused by policy and underinvestment in the sector in the last decade, which Russia has taken advantage of.

In this brief article, we summarize the key message of the interview and what lies ahead for the energy sector and broad commodities for the next years. We are most likely set up for a new commodity supercycle, so prepare your portfolio accordingly.

Continue ReadingeToro Post – Outlook for Commodities from Q3 2022
Read more about the article eToro Post – Adding US Dollar Index (DXY) Exposure to an All Seasons Portfolio

eToro Post – Adding US Dollar Index (DXY) Exposure to an All Seasons Portfolio

  • Post author:
  • Post category:eToro
  • Post comments:6 Comments
  • Reading time:22 mins read

Interest rate risk and sentiment risk (periods of risk off behaviour) are two risks that are typically difficult to hedge. These risks have characterized the first nine months of 2022, so if we could find some asset that could help offset losses in stocks and bonds during these periods, that would be great.

Therefore, with this post, we look at an alternative investment that could provide at least some protection against rising rates, and one of them could be to go long the United States Dollar. In this article, we will be looking at an index giving broad exposure to the dollar, what benefits it adds to a diversified portfolio, and how a retail investor can add this exposure to a portfolio.

We review the UUP ETF (Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund) and its underlying exposure to the US Dollar Index ("DXY"), what it is, and why it might be a good diversifier.

Continue ReadingeToro Post – Adding US Dollar Index (DXY) Exposure to an All Seasons Portfolio
Read more about the article Portfolio Update – August 2022

Portfolio Update – August 2022

July is well behind us, and now that most of the rate hikes in the US up to about 3.75-4.00% are expected and priced in, the All Seasons Portfolio got a bit of a revenge this past month with some positive performance.

The US inflation rate for July was just published as 8.5%, down from 9.1% in June, and below market expectations of 8.7%. It could be that inflation has peaked, as theorised by several market commentators and macro traders, and that the main fear on a forward-looking basis is weak growth.

We check out a few extra charts this month to find more perspective on what the market believes about inflation going forward. If expectations are coming down, there would be more room for new surprises to the upside that are not priced in.

It is wise - as always - to remain agnostic.

Continue ReadingPortfolio Update – August 2022
Read more about the article Portfolio Update – July 2022

Portfolio Update – July 2022

July is well behind us, and now that most of the rate hikes in the US up to about 3.75-4.00% are expected and priced in, the All Seasons Portfolio got a bit of a revenge this past month with some positive performance.

The US inflation rate for July was just published as 8.5%, down from 9.1% in June, and below market expectations of 8.7%. It could be that inflation has peaked, as theorised by several market commentators and macro traders, and that the main fear on a forward-looking basis is weak growth.

We check out a few extra charts this month to find more perspective on what the market believes about inflation going forward. If expectations are coming down, there would be more room for new surprises to the upside that are not priced in.

It is wise - as always - to remain agnostic.

Continue ReadingPortfolio Update – July 2022
Read more about the article Insights – Interest Rate Risk and Asset Correlations with Future Cash Rate Expectations

Insights – Interest Rate Risk and Asset Correlations with Future Cash Rate Expectations

"Is the All Seasons Portfolio strategy not working anymore?"

With an annual drawdown for such portfolios almost as bad as for the stock market YTD (S&P 500 currently being down 16% since 1 January, having briefly been below -20%), I am not surprised that I have been hearing this question more and more recently. Is this a bug or a feature?

The first seven months of 2022 can be illustrated by two major themes in terms of financial markets: a) significant underperformance of major asset classes such as stocks and bonds, and b) rising rates.

The latter constitutes one of two undiversifiable risks for investors, as when the cah rate rises, that impacts asset prices as returns of risky assets always compete with the return of cash.

In this article, we explore interest rate risk and how most major asset classes have correlated with the future cash rate expectations over the first seven months of 2022. We try to answer the question on if the All Seasons Portfolio strategy is broken, or if the playing field has been reset and that we can expect better performance ahead.

Continue ReadingInsights – Interest Rate Risk and Asset Correlations with Future Cash Rate Expectations