Glossary
Annualized ROR is the rate of return based on 12 consecutive months of performance, compounded monthly. The annualized rate of return (AROR) for any given period is calculated using the following formula:
Asset Classes are broad categories of investments such as stocks, bonds and alternatives, including managed futures and real estate. Each asset class offers a distinct source of return and risk related to its basic function. In the case of stocks, an investor receives earnings potential in exchange for providing equity capital to companies.
CASAM CISDM CTA Asset Weighted Index reflects the dollar-weighted performance of Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs) reporting to the CASAM CISDM Database. CTAs trade a wide variety of OTC and exchange traded forward, futures and options markets (e.g., physicals, currency, financial) based on a wide variety of trading models. In order to be included in the asset weighted index universe, a CTA must have at least $500,000 under management and at least a 12- month track record. The index goes back historically to January 1980.
Diversification is the common sense practice of not putting all your eggs in one basket. Diversifying your investments across different asset classes can reduce your risk, thereby providing a more favorable risk-adjusted rate of return. Furthermore, investments within an asset class should also be diversified. For example, it is wise to invest your stock portfolio in different industries and a variety of companies. A managed futures portfolio can be similarly diversified among different trading advisors, among markets such as currencies, oil, corn, etc., and among trading styles, such as discretionary or systematic.
Correlation is a measure of the degree to which the value of different investment types move in the same direction; if they perform independently of one another, they are non-correlated, such as managed futures vs. stocks and bonds.
Correlation Coefficient, r, indicates both the strength and direction of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Values of r range from -1.0, a strong negative relationship, to +1.0, a strong positive relationship. When r=0, there is no relationship between variables x and y.
Managed Futures are a unique asset class, driven by the investment decisions of professional managers, known as Commodity Trading Advisors, or CTAs. These CTAs manage client assets using global markets (such as currencies, energy, grains, etc.) as an investment medium. They take short or long positions based on expected profit potential.
Maximum Drawdown, also known as “Worst Historical Loss,” is the measure of risk that that illustrates the largest peak-to-valley decline, based on monthly rates of return, during a given time period.
S&P 500® Total Return Index is widely regarded as the best single gauge of the U.S. equities market. This world-renowned index includes 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. Although the S&P 500® focuses on the large cap segment of the market, with approximately 75% coverage of U.S. equities, it is also an ideal proxy for the total market.
Standard Deviation measures the degree of variation of monthly returns around the mean (average) return. The higher the volatility of the investment returns, the higher the standard deviation will be.
Volatility is a measure of fluctuation in the value of an asset or investment. Lower volatility improves the stability and lowers the risk of an investment portfolio. Including managed futures as part of a diversified portfolio helps to stabilize the overall ups and downs of your investments.