
The secret is out! Major brokerage firms have failed to be as fair and
open with their "cherished" retail clients as they should. As a result,
these last few years have proven to be painful for many investors. But
that's only half the story! Not only have they issued 'buy' or 'hold'
recommendations on stocks that, in truth, turned out to be outright
"dogs", but major brokerages have also, as a general policy, withheld
from you investments that, as studies have repeatedly shown, can
potentially increase performance and reduce risk in an overall
portfolio!
Ask yourself: Why have many of the largest brokerage houses attempted
to keep these investments under wraps? Just as major brokerages will
avoid losing investment banking business by issuing sell recommendations
on companies from whom they derive substantial revenues, so too, we
believe, will they avoid telling you about this established investment
because they fear losing business from you, their retail customer. Most
major brokerages stick to their bread-and-butter stocks and don't offer
this investment! Yet institutions and savvy investors have, for quite
some time, made a place for this investment in their portfolios-to the
tune of over $35 billion dollars!
The investment we are referring to is professionally managed futures!
Surprised? Don't be. There is a big difference in the results between
amateurs and professionals trading futures. If an unskilled person
attempted to practice law or medicine, they'd probably perform quite
poorly, just like many non-professional, amateur futures traders. So it
comes as no surprise that in the highly complex and challenging world of
futures trading, the vast majority of non-professional, amateur futures
traders do lose. However, experienced professional commodity trading
advisors (CTAs), have been shown to achieve consistent returns through
prudent money management. Additionally studies have also shown that
managed futures are no riskier than stocks. Bear in mind that the risk
of loss exists no matter who is managing your money, and that the
potential exists in futures trading to lose more than your initial
investment.
What are 'CTAs' and How Can They Help You?
Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs) are licensed by the U.S. government
and its appropriate regulatory agencies. CTAs manage investors' assets
using futures market-related investments, similar to a registered
investment advisor who invests his client's assets in a variety of
stocks. However, unlike many stock fund managers, CTAs can potentially
capitalize on rising, falling and lackluster markets. CTAs bring to
futures trading many of the same benefits that equity managers bring to
the management of stock and bond funds.
Mutual Funds and Managed Futures: A Comparison
| MUTUAL FUNDS |
MANAGED FUTURES |
| Diversification |
Diversification |
| Professional Management |
Professional Management |
| Highly Regulated: SEC & States |
Highly Regulated: CFTC, NFA |
| Liquidity: Daily |
Liquidity: Daily |
| Potential Profit in Bull Markets: Yes |
Potential Profit in Bull Markets: Yes |
| Potential Profit in Bear Markets: No |
Potential Profit in Bear Markets: Yes |
Modern Portfolio Theory and its Implication for You
Pension funds and sophisticated investors have long relied on Modern
Portfolio Theory (MPT) in attempting to obtain the highest returns with
the lowest level of risk. The premise underlying Modern Portfolio Theory
tells us that the risk of any investment can be reduced and performance
increased by holding a number of non-correlated investments in a variety
of differing asset classes. Non-correlated investments, by design, do
not move in lockstep with one another. The father of MPT, Dr. Harry
Markowitz, cautioned investors 50 years ago "holding securities that
tend to move in concert with each other does not lower risk." Dr.
Markowitz concluded that a diversified portfolio comprised of
investments non-correlated with securities could provide the highest
returns with the least amount of risk.
Offering almost a zero correlation versus stocks, professionally
managed futures fit this description quite nicely.
Findings on Managed Futures Brought to Light
In what is considered a landmark study, Dr. John Lintner of Harvard
University, in 1983, presented his paper "The Potential Role of Managed
Futures Accounts in Portfolios of Stocks and Bonds." Lintner concluded
that "The combined portfolios of stocks after including judicious
investments in managed futures accounts show substantially less risk, at
every possible level of expected return, than portfolios of stocks (or
stocks and bonds) alone."
In further support of the conclusions reached by Mssrs. Markowitz and
Lintner, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) published a study which
stated that portfolios with as much as 20% in managed futures can yield
up to 50% more than stock and bond portfolios, while offering comparable
risk.
The Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), in their highly informative
brochure, "Portfolio Diversification Opportunities," incorporated a
graph entitled "Potential Impact of Managed Futures on the Traditional
Portfolio, January 1980 - December 2001." The graph illustrates how a
portfolio without managed futures under performs, and is riskier than, a
portfolio that includes managed futures. The portfolio that exhibited
the highest returns and least amount of volatility comprised 41% stocks,
41% bonds and 18% managed futures.
Actual performance of stocks and managed futures, as shown in the
CBOT publication, show how managed futures have remained positive even
during some of the stock market's worst periods of decline!
Past performance is not indicative of future results. The risk of
loss in futures trading can be substantial. An investor could
potentially lose more than the initial investment.
Managed Futures and Portfolios: A Provocative Statement
Managed futures have long been employed in connection with
diversifying institutional portfolios. One such example is Harvard
University. Jack Meyer, the chief executive of that school's endowment
fund regularly includes commodity, and financial futures-related
instruments in the portfolio. In fact, this proponent of Modern
Portfolio Theory has placed himself on record by stating, "Holding
commodities offers protection against the ups and downs of stocks and
bonds; they're the most diversifying asset in the portfolio. The
benefits of diversification are indisputable; diversification rules.
It's powerful and our portfolio is a good deal less risky [with
commodities] than with only the S&P 500."
Are Managed Futures Riskier than Stocks?
Thomas Schneeweis, Professor of Finance, at the University of
Massachusetts, in his 2002 academic study "Benefits of Managed Futures,"
destroys the myth of managed futures as investments that are riskier
than stocks. According to Schneweis "Managed futures are not any
more riskier than traditional equity investments. Investment in a single
commodity trading advisor is shown to have risks and returns, which are
similar to investment in a single equity. Moreover, a portfolio of
commodity trading advisors is also shown to have risks, and returns,
which are similar to traditional investments." The paper was
prepared for educational purposes and does not address the significant
risks inherent in futures trading. Futures trading is not suitable for
all investors. An investor could potentially lose more than the initial
investment.
Commodities Are The Place To Be!
Many believe, we have entered a new phase of lackluster and lower
returns for the stock market. Consider the fact that according to a
December 17, 2002 article in the Wall Street Journal, Goldman Sachs
earned more money from commodity trading than in stock trading in 2001,
and 2002. In 2002 alone, they earned $3.6 billion trading commodities,
compared to $800 million in stock trading.
Isn't it both wise and prudent to shift one's investment focus to the
areas that can potentially provide the greatest investment
opportunities? Some experts liken commodities to stocks and bonds in the
early 1980s. Both embarked on one of the great bull markets after a long
period of sluggishness. Think opportunity and think long term. Many
believe we're at the "sweet spot" of the economic cycle for commodities,
representing a classic opportunity for investors.
Stocks had their day for quite some time. Now commodities are
having their day. For example, at year end 2002, Barron's stated,
"Commodities also offered a compelling alternative with oil up 64%, to
$32.47 a barrel, and gold ahead 25%, to $344.80 an ounce." Other
commodities also shined in 2003. Compared to the major stock indices
that were all down, the major commodity indices were all up, led by the
Dow Jones-AIG Commodity Index, which jumped 24%. Contributing to the
Index's rise were platinum, soybeans and cocoa, which rose 23%, 32% and
54%, respectively. . Please note that the prices mentioned are cash
prices. Customers will be trading commodity futures and options on
futures contracts.
Many believe stocks are still expensive and commodities remain
cheap.
While the party in stocks is over, the party in commodities is just
beginning. While stocks are mired in a secular bear market that will
probably last at least 10 years, the commodity markets are finally
awakening to the unstable geo-political and economic events of our time!
Many believe the secular bear market in stocks will cause stocks to
under perform for the next decade while commodities will offer
tremendous opportunities. The risk of loss in trading futures can be
substantial. An investor could potentially lose more than the initial
investment.
Free $95 Investors Kit
The best way to understand what managed futures are all about,
including its risks, rewards, benefits and practical applications, is
explained in our Investors Kit. The Kit, normally available at a cost of
$95 is being made available free of charge to investors for a limited
time only!
The Free Investors Kit includes an:
- Audiotape with an easy-to-understand, informative narrative
focusing on the unique advantages of managed futures in a diversified
portfolio.
- Videotape interview with one of todays most successful money
managers, allowing you to share his 'secrets to success'.
- Question and Answer report covering the most frequently asked
questions on managed futures.
- Comprehensive, gorgeous color brochure, "Modern Portfolio
Theory, Dynamic Diversification for Today's Investor," including sample
managed futures portfolios for investors.
You could spend upwards of $1,000 on managed futures books and seminars,
but you probably wouldn't learn as much useful information as you would
by simply digesting the contents of our Investors Kit. And although the
Kit is worth every bit of its $95 price, you can have this
indispensable, highly informative package absolutely free-ONLY WHILE
SUPPLIES LAST!
If ever there was a time to learn about managed futures, it's now!
Managed futures can help protect your portfolio from stock market
volatility, while increasing returns and reducing risk. Discover how and
why in our free, easy-to-understand Investor's Kit. Reply now!
Receive a Special Bonus
Act now and we'll send you the Special Report, "Secrets To Successful
Investing!" Learn the secrets of the pros! Why do many investors lose
money? What are the key mistakes investors make when investing? What
should you look for when selecting an investment? How can you increase
your chances for successful investing? All this and more is in our
Special Report!
Learn about managed futures, "one of the best kept "secrets" major
wire houses don't want you to know", in our free Investors Kit!
To receive your free Investor's Kit, at absolutely no obligation,
fill out the form below. For faster service, call
1-800-248-2646 or fax 212-859-0250. Act now while supplies last! (Your
reply will be held in strict confidence. We don't engage in the practice
of selling our client lists.)
P.S. Professionally Managed Futures can be used in your existing
qualified retirement plans including IRAs, SEPs, 401s and Trusts.
P.P.S. Incidentally, the majority of our Commodity Trading Advisors'
primary income is derived only when you, the investor, make
money!
The risk of loss in trading futures can be substantial. An investor
could potentially lose more than their initial investment. |