Vol Laundering and the Portrait of a Perfect Hedge
Jul 12, 2024
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Exploring vol laundering, honest risk management, and the concept of a perfect hedge in the investment landscape. Delving into anti-fragility, options-based insurance, and the importance of balancing risk and reward for a strong portfolio. Highlighting zero cost collars, hedge overlays, and the critical aspects of creating a perfect hedge for optimal protection and resilience.
Volatility impacts investments like the VIX, while 'vol laundering' manipulates volatility for financial gain.
Hedging strategies with anti-correlated assets aim to protect portfolios during market stress.
Deep dives
Understanding Volatility Laundering in Financial Markets
Volatility plays a significant role in financial markets, affecting instruments like the VIX and impacting investments such as GameStop. The concept of 'vol laundering' emerges, indicating strategies that manipulate volatility levels for financial gain. Figures like AQR's Cliff Asness are closely associated with this term, highlighting the complex interplay between volatility and returns in investment strategies.
The Evolution of Private Market Exposures and Risk Management
Private markets, encompassing assets like private credit and equity, have grown significantly, with investors seeking alternatives to traditional investments. Strategies pioneered by individuals like Yale's David Swenson have reshaped how illiquidity risk is perceived in portfolios. However, a shift towards unrealistic market valuations and a focus on risk mitigation in private market investments present challenges in maintaining investment integrity.
Crafting the Perfect Hedge Strategy for Risk Mitigation
In an ever-changing financial landscape, hedging strategies have become crucial for mitigating risks and protecting portfolios. The 'perfect hedge' aims to provide anti-correlated assets that thrive during market stress, offering liquidity and protection. Factors like cost efficiency, transparent liquidity, and tracking ease are essential considerations in designing effective hedging mechanisms that align with portfolio objectives.
If smoothing returns is the feature not bug of private equity and credit, what strategy fully embraces the virtue of honest mark to market risk? What strategy highlights price shocks and the resulting level at which a portfolio could be unwound in a hurry as the basis of thinking about its efficacy? In this short podcast, I make the case that exposure to vol – to the anti-fragile - is going to be a part of this strategy. That is, long exposure to options-based insurance.
I hope you enjoy and find this useful. As always, I appreciate your feedback.
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