Not that anyone didn’t already know – but U.S. Stocks did really, really well last year, leading the race for top asset class basically wire to wire on the way to +30% returns for the S&P 500 to lead our 2013 Asset Class Scoreboard… read ‘em and weep below:
(Disclaimer: Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results)
(Disclaimer: past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.)
Source: All ETF performance data from Morningstar.com
Sources: Managed Futures = Newedge CTA Index, Cash = 13 week T-Bill rate,
Bonds = Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND), Hedge Funds= DJCS Broad Hedge Fund Index;
Commodities = iShares GSCI ETF (GSG); Real Estate = iShares DJ Real Estate ETF (IYR);
World Stocks = iShares MSCI ACWI ex US Index Fund ETF (ACWX); US Stocks =US Stocks = SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)
Managed Futures secured its spot in 5th place, holding its head above the breakeven point, while Bonds and Commodities were all lower on the year (note, we use the iShares Real Estate ETF for that asset class, which tracks the stock prices of real estate companies, which was down – while average US home prices were showing up according to the Associated Press). Also, how often do you see stocks and bonds about 34% apart?!
As for managed futures – sneaking above the breakeven mark was a moral victory – and not bad when held alongside other diversifiers such as bonds and commodities; but they need to shine in 2014 (like more than 10% shine…) to get some respect back. We’ll be looking at just what conditions are needed in our coming newsletter – 2014 Managed Futures Outlook – so make sure to sign up to receive our newsletter if you haven’t already.