Blog

For the Nerds: Why We Conform All Strategies to a Common Set of Assets

This post gets a bit down into the weeds of how our backtest engine works, but we’ve received this question a few times recently, so we thought a blog post was in order for readers who are (like us) nerds. We conform all of the strategies that we track to a common set of assets […]

On The Diversification Dangers of DIY Tactical Asset Allocation

We wanted to take a moment to highlight two must read posts from Newfound Research. Newfound is a thought leader in the TAA space and we highly recommend following them now. The Diversification Dangers of DIY Tactical [dead link] – and – Diversifying the What, How, and When of Trend Following Newfound outlines three ways […]

Tactical Asset Allocation in March

This is a summary of the recent performance of a wide range of excellent tactical asset allocation strategies. These strategies are sourced from books, academic papers, and other publications. While we don’t (yet) include every published TAA model, these strategies are broadly representative of the TAA space. Learn more about what we do or let AllocateSmartly […]

Tax Efficient Tactical Asset Allocation

New to Tactical Asset Allocation? Learn more: What is TAA? In our previous post, we looked at the tax impact of TAA for investors trading in taxable accounts. Using our database of more than 40 published TAA models we concluded that, while TAA as a whole has been relatively tax efficient, the particular strategies that […]

Tactical Asset Allocation & Taxes

Tactical asset allocation, by its nature, generates more transactions than buy & hold. Investors trading in taxable accounts would be justifiably concerned that the negative tax consequences of that might outweigh the benefits of TAA by shifting returns to less advantageous short-term capital gains. Our newest member feature responds to those concerns. We track more […]

Testing the Efficiente Index

This test is based on the Efficiente Index from JP Morgan. A variation of this strategy is available via the ETF EFFE. The strategy uses traditional mean-variance optimization (aka the “Efficient Frontier”) to trade a broad basket of asset classes, but it’s actually a momentum strategy in disguise. The strategy hasn’t generated huge returns, but […]

Tactical Asset Allocation in February

Asset Allocation Roundup

Recent asset allocation articles (tactical or otherwise) that you might have missed: 40 Shades of Tactical Asset Allocation Across Bull And Bear Markets (Earl Adamy) Earl walks readers though his own approach to finding the best TAA strategies using the data available in our members area. We try not to define the “best” strategies for […]

What to Expect from TAA When Markets Fall

Markets have started the month weak. We got spoiled last year. After such an abnormally long period of market calm, it’s natural for investors to feel a little anxious. We have no opinion on where the markets go from here. That’s why we’re quantitative traders. We put a lot of time into understanding these models so […]