With the launch of a number of low volatility funds, the fact higher risk may not after all – and over time – be rewarded with higher performance, as the theory suggests, has been given publicity
However, a few sectors will be overweight in low volatility asset selections, with Utilities and Finance counting for 50¨% of a 100 low volatility / large market cap asset selection
The sensitivity of these dominant sectors to the business cycle will determine the actual outcome over time, as the business cycle runs its course – and not over just one year
Under the assumption an investor might seek stability without having to align his or her expectations with the full cycle, we create – as a reference dated mid-January 2018 – a portfolio based on the lowest volatilities and the lowest Maximum Drawdown (smallest continuous price drop observed over the past year), resulting in a fairly balanced sector combination in the large cap universe
If this selection provides peace of mind (by outperforming the benchmark SPDR® S&P® 500 ETF) remains to be seen
