Since the emergence of “Modern Portfolio Theory” and the “Capital Asset Pricing Model” in the late 1960s, institutional investors have taken a quantitatively driven approach to portfolio construction, looking to create portfolio diversification and obtain better risk-adjusted returns by balancing their asset-class exposures. This journey has seen several important advancements in thinking about how to optimally achieve desired results.
Funds that want to take the total portfolio approach first need to get the total portfolio view. To do that they not only need data – and lots of it – but a rock-solid understanding of exactly how they’re going to use it.
ASX shares update; US markets down over 4%
It’s back: US markets down over 4%, dividends the story of the day, a deal with the devil
The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished another 0.8% higher, with everything but the IT, materials and utilities sectors adding to the rally.
As reporting season comes to an end, dividend payments are driving daily movements with BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP) falling 2.3% as it trades ex-dividend and cash is paid out to shareholders.
Embattled department store operator Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX:MYR) which has been hit heavily during the COVID-19 shutdowns, rallied 17% after inking a deal with Amazon Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN).
The deal means customers of Amazon will be able to pick up their purchases from one of 21 Myer stores around Australia.
This is clearly a bold call and a deal with the devil as the company seeks to stay relevant.
Whilst the New Zealand market isn’t high on our priority list, I was interested to Sky City Casino Ltd (ASX:SKC) announcing they do not expect international travel to recommence at all in the 2021 financial year.
“You get what you pay for”, Robin Hood and CBA under pressure
Bloomberg reported this week that the incredibly popular Robin Hood trading app in the US, which offers commission free trading, was being investigated for selling their member orders onto high frequency traders.
Many experts have been blaming Robin Hood for the exuberance in market valuations at in recent times, a trend also reflected in this week’s trading in ASX-listed BNPL stocks.
Latest reports suggest that Zip Co Ltd (ASX:Z1P) was the most traded stock on the entire CommSec Retail platform in July, well ahead of BHP and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd (ASX:CBA).
Interestingly, some 26% of all Z1P stock traded was from CommSec, which is the home of DIY investors in Australia.
Staying with CBA, lawyers have commenced a class action against the Count Financial Planning unit sold last year, on which the Board provided a $300 million indemnity.
Volatility returns, ASX to fall heavily, tech valuations in focus
US markets suffered their worst loss in over three months, with the S&P 500 falling close to 4% and most selling pressure hitting the Nasdaq, down 5% in a single session.
Just 54 of the S&P 500 constituents were higher with NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA), -9%, Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), -8%, the hardest hit in a sign investors are questioning the sustainability of tech valuations following a near 60% rally since the March lows.
Interestingly cruise liners and retailers were among the winners, suggesting a rotation back to value maybe under way.
The selloff came following a weakening in PMI data and signs of a weaker than expected jobs report tomorrow; traders clearly choosing to be risk off before the weekend.
Governments around the world continue to push for greater fiscal stimulus, with the US impasse likely holding the market back, as the French announced a new $100 billion domestic recovery package.
