by Steve Selengut
The first page of search engine research tells you that: “Investors use hedging strategies when they are unsure of what the market will do”— isn’t that always the case? Further along you learn that there are many different kinds of strategies, nearly all of which rely upon some sort of derivative betting mechanism.
But what is hedging all about in the first place? Conspiracy theorists have their hands in the air. What’s that? Portfolio hedging strategies were created to expand the market for the first generation of derivative products— options and futures contracts. Hmmm, not so far fetched an idea, really. Just back up a bit and think about what they are trying to accomplish.
Hedges are designed to massage your market value numbers, a kind of security blanket that softens the highs and lows of the market cycle. But why focus on the fluff of transient market values in the first place? Cycles eventually correct themselves without the unnecessary drama, guesswork, risk, and trading fees.
It’s not the market value of the portfolio that is of primary importance. It’s the actual content of the portfolio and how you deal with the natural dynamics of the securities you own. Why can’t the media reinforce that kind of stuff instead of the emotion of the month?
If a portfolio has a semi-guaranteed “base income” of 4%, a 4% cushion (or hedge) is always in place, one that grows annually with proper asset allocation management, and adds to the market value in upward cycles— nah, too simple.
For the “rest of the story”:
http://kiawahgolfinvestmentseminars.net/Inv/index.cfm/6979
Steve Selengut
http://www.sancoservices.com
Professional Portfolio Management since 1979
Author of: “The Brainwashing of the American Investor: The Book that Wall Street Does Not Want YOU to Read”
