When the Federal Open Market Committee finally raised rates to the 0.25% to 0.50% last December, it was the first time in seven years. Indeed, the fact that we just quote those minuscule rates and a range instead of fixed level shows just how different a rate environment we ended up in after those seven […]
Author: rcm-alternatives
06
Dec
2016
02
Dec
2016
Is The Italy Referendum Vote the next Blow to the Euro?
As if we weren’t already sick of hearing about voting – 2016 is continuing its run as the Year of the Vote – with yet another important vote around the corner in what some are calling a lighter version of the Brexit and Trump shockers. You’re up Italy, with a vote on amending their constitution […]
02
Dec
2016
Weekend Reads: Handling Risk
I learned that it is not necessarily the system that makes you the money but the way you handle risk. Going home flat – (Futures Magazine) The hallmark of a good investor realizes that the rules do apply to them and they own the fact that they are no more gifted or special than […]
01
Dec
2016
What’s Happened Thus Far in 2016
Twenty-sixteen is proving to be quite a cyclical year. What started as a free fall for stocks, world stocks, bonds, and commodities in the first two months ended with a quick recovery the months following. At one point the current leaders on the scoreboard were down -7.74% (World Stocks) -7.25% (Commodities) -5.11% (Stocks) and -4.80% […]
30
Nov
2016
Are Alternative Investments Worth It?
We’ve been waiting… and waiting… and waiting… for the markets. to. finally. move. With the election over, we’re now seeing it unravel. The U.S. Dollar Index is at levels not seen since 2003, Copper has roared up 20% in a week, and Gold is getting crushed. And that short list doesn’t include the biggest “market” […]
28
Nov
2016
Just Like that – An Explosion of Financials Volatility
A couple of weeks ago, Managed Futures managers were begging for volatility. There was none to be found in the financial markets, but it’s a totally different story post-election. Whether you want to look at the surging U.S. Dollar index or the free falling Euro currency market, there’s movement to be seen. For example, the […]
28
Nov
2016
Weekend Reads: $33 Billion in a Week
Wow, U.S. stock ETFs have taken in $33b since election a week ago, which accounts for a third of their YTD $100b total. $SPY leading way.. pic.twitter.com/1lQauTOizo — Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) November 16, 2016 Alternative Strategies In ETFs Vs Mutual Funds – (ETF.com) The World’s Safest Bonds Are Actually Wild Risks – (Wall Street Journal) […]
28
Nov
2016
Remarkable Risk Control
There’s no denying Managed Futures performance has struggled in the recent bout of no volatility with the SG CTA Index down -1.64% thru October and the SG CTA Mutual Fund Index down an even worse -6.45% {Disclaimer: Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results}. But anyone who’s been around the block a couple of […]
