Strategy Spotlight

Selecting the Optimal Investment Universe in Managed Futures

In managed futures strategies, a larger investment universe is not always better for investors.

Managed futures strategies use quantitative models to invest in price trends. These strategies seek to capitalize on the well-supported observation that security prices follow trends that stem from behavioral biases among investors. Put simply, trend-following strategies systematically buy securities that have been increasing in price and sell securities that have been falling in price. The ability of this approach, also known as momentum investing, to deliver returns for investors has been established over decades of academic research.

However, for a strategy based on widely understood theory and public data, manager approaches can vary considerably, resulting in dissimilar outcomes depending on their choices in strategy design. This paper focuses on one of those choices: How many securities should a managed futures portfolio hold?

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The Author

Matt Dorsten

Portfolio Manager, Quantitative Strategy

Chris Santore

Quantitative Strategies

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Disclosures

Past performance is not a guarantee or a reliable indicator of future results.  All investments contain risk and may lose value. The strategy may utilize quantitative models as part of implementing its investment strategies. The models evaluate securities or securities markets based on certain assumptions concerning the interplay of market factors. Models used may not adequately take into account certain factors, may not perform as intended, and may result in a decline in the value of your investment, which could be substantial.  Managed futures contain heightened risk, including wide price fluctuations and may not be suitable for all investors. Investing in the bond market is subject to risks, including market, interest rate, issuer, credit, inflation risk, and liquidity risk. The value of most bonds and bond strategies are impacted by changes in interest rates. Bonds and bond strategies with longer durations tend to be more sensitive and volatile than those with shorter durations; bond prices generally fall as interest rates rise, and the current low interest rate environment increases this risk. Current reductions in bond counterparty capacity may contribute to decreased market liquidity and increased price volatility. Bond investments may be worth more or less than the original cost when redeemed. The strategy will seek exposure to commodities through commodity-linked derivatives. Commodities contain heightened risk including market, political, regulatory, and natural conditions, and may not be suitable for all investors. Derivatives and commodity-linked derivatives may involve certain costs and risks such as liquidity, interest rate, market, credit, management and the risk that a position could not be closed when most advantageous. Commodity-linked derivative instruments may involve additional costs and risks such as changes in commodity index volatility or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. Investing in derivatives could lose more than the amount invested. High yield, lower-rated securities involve greater risk than higher-rated securities; portfolios that invest in them may be subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risk than portfolios that do not. Investing in foreign denominated and/or domiciled securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations, and economic and political risks, which may be enhanced in emerging markets.

Hypothetical examples are for illustrative purposes only. Hypothetical and simulated examples have many inherent limitations and are generally prepared with the benefit of hindsight. There are frequently sharp differences between simulated results and the actual results. There are numerous factors related to the markets in general or the implementation of any specific investment strategy, which cannot be fully accounted for in the preparation of simulated results and all of which can adversely affect actual results. No guarantee is being made that the stated results will be achieved. There is no guarantee that these investment strategies will work under all market conditions or are suitable for all investors and each investor should evaluate their ability to invest long-term, especially during periods of downturn in the market.

This material contains the opinions of the manager but not necessarily those of PIMCO and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America L.P. in the United States and throughout the world. ©2017, PIMCO.