Summary
This strategy is deprecated. We suggest using VIX Spritz as a replacement.
- Objective: balanced growth
- Type: volatility-targeting strategy
- Invests in: ETFs tracking stocks, treasuries, and the aggregate bond market
- Rebalancing schedule: daily
- Taxation: 90% short-term capital gains
- Minimum account size: $5,000
VIX Treasures is a proprietary premium strategy by TuringTrader.com, introduced in November 2019.
VIX Treasures aims to provide stock-like returns, with lower volatility than a passive 60/40 portfolio. To achive its objective, the stratregy invests an S&P 500 ETF, using volatility targeting to scale the exposure. In times of increasing market volatility, VIX Treasures reduces its S&P holdings and rotates into the safety of bonds. The strategy uses a menu of only three ETFs: An S&P 500 index, long-term treasuries, and the aggregate bond market.
VIX Treasures has moderate maintenance requirements. While the strategy calls for daily rebalancing, its short menu makes this task straightforward.
Performance
This table shows the portfolio’s key performance metrics over the course of the simulation:
The following chart shows the portfolio’s historical performance and drawdowns, compared to their benchmark, throughout the simulation:
This chart shows the portfolio’s annual returns:
The following charts show the Monte-Carlo simulation of returns and drawdowns, the portfolios 12-months rolling returns, and how the portfolio is tracking to its benchmark:
Asset Allocation
The portfolio last required rebalancing after the exchanges closed on @last-rebal@. Due to fluctuations in asset prices, the exact allocations vary daily, even when no rebalancing occurred. The current asset allocation is as follows:
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Strategy Rules
The operation of VIX Treasures can be summarized as follows:
- invest in the S&P 500, with exposure scaled inversely to 1-month implied volatility
- measure volatility relative to 12-month implied volatility
- invest up to 50% of unused capital in U.S. treasuries
- invest any remaining capital in the aggregate U.S. bond market
These rules reflect the idea that in the long run, the U.S. stock market provides the best growth opportunities. Volatility poses the biggest threat this growth, which is addressed through reducing exposure in periods of elevated volatility. Volatility is measured by the slope of the VIX term structure. While usually in contango, the VIX enters backwardation in times of market turbulence.
We encourage investors keen on learning more about this rationale to read our article regarding volatility targeting.
Diversification
The strategy is well diversified in terms of individual titles, as it only invests in broad indices. VIX Treasure‘s low beta suggests the strategy is also well-diversified across asset classes. However, in times of low volatility, the strategy may allocate up to 100% of the capital toward the stock market, leaving some tail risk in case of rapidly spiking volatility.
Returns & Volatility
Like many active strategies, an essential part of returns stems from losing less than passive portfolios during recessions. Therefore, VIX Treasures achieves the stated goal only over the full economic cycle.
VIX Treasures beats a passive 60/40 in most years and has shown docile behavior throughout the last economic cycle. The portfolio managed the 2008 recession very well, even though missing out on part of the 2009 rebound. The strategy’s average drawdowns are only slightly higher than those of a passive 60/40, while its maximum drawdowns are lower. Over the past economic cycle, VIX Treasures has beaten a passive 60/40 as well as the S&P 500 by a wide margin.
The Monte-Carlo simulation confirms these observations. VIX Treasures provides a significant upside over its benchmark, while showing lower risks.
Account & Tax Considerations
When the strategy scales its stock market exposure, it triggers taxable events. However, VIX Treasures holds at least 60% of its positions for several years. Therefore, VIX Treasures is a great candidate for taxable accounts, with a tax burden similar to a passive 60/40 portfolio.
VIX Treasures invests in no more than three ETFs at a time. Therefore, it can function adequately with as little as $5,000 of capital.