Publication
Title
On the relative merits of passive commodity investments
Author
Abstract
Given the current turmoil in financial markets, the search for alternative assets to diversify away from traditional equity portfolios is stronger than ever. Inspired by the diversification potential of commodities and the recent bull-run in commodity prices, the interest in commodity indexes and structured products has revived. This paper provides an overview of the relative merits of passive commodity investments. We evaluate the individual performance of commodities relative to traditional choices of asset allocation. Even though commodities generate equity-like returns, their substantial volatility and downside risk indicate that they do not present a good stand-alone investment. Nonetheless, we show that passive commodity investments are excellent vehicles for portfolio diversification. Using the Fama & Schwert (1977) model, we further demonstrate that commodities are able to (partially) hedge unexpected inflation. In the final part of our paper, we discuss the backwardation and contango character of the futures curve. We highlight the dynamics of the term structure and discuss the importance of the roll yield
Language
English
Source (journal)
Bank- en financiewezen. - Bruxelles, 2003, currens
Publication
Bruxelles : 2008
ISSN
2033-7825 [print]
2566-154X [online]
Volume/pages
72 (2008) , p. 384-394
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Record
Identifier
Creation 02.12.2008
Last edited 07.10.2022
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