Every investment decision has consequences; only the future will determine if it is a good decision. Due to the uncertainty of the markets and while many try to forecast the future, they have yet to achieve success consistently or reliably.Â
The past year was challenging with high interest rates and inflation, recession fears and a war which set the stage for nervous investors and downward markets. While all the major equity and fixed income asset classes were down, alternative “enhancer” asset classes had mixed results, supporting a well-diversified portfolio. In addition, a tilt towards quality and value further protected portfolios from experiencing the full decline of the markets.
Investors are shocked that the so-called 60/40 portfolio failed to provide protection from the bear market in stocks this year. Many thought stock and bond prices always move in opposite directions, which was the foundation of their diversification strategy.
Many business owners and investment professionals believe the Fed’s actions to reduce inflation will result in a recession. Last week, the Federal Reserve (Fed) hiked the Fed funds rate by 50bp to 0.75-1.00%, the first back-to-back hike since the second quarter of 2006, with expectations of a series of rate hikes.
Most individual investors’ portfolios include only two asset classes: public domestic equities and bonds, the “risky” and “safe” asset classes, respectively. This traditional portfolio (colloquially referred to as the “60 / 40” reflecting a typical allocation to equities and bonds) did not perform well from 2000 – 2010 but did well over the most recent ten years from 2011 – 2021.Â
Reinsurance bonds also called Catastrophe bonds are a unique asset class, one whose performance has little relationship to the bond and stock market hence their unique value. Here we explain what reinsurance bonds are, how we can invest in them and what value they add to a diversified portfolio.