Commodities Continue To Lead Asset Class Scoreboard

Article by RCM Alternatives

Don’t look now, but commodities continue to lead the asset class scoreboard in 2018, as rising crude prices and a bounce in the US Dollar Index lead the charge. This comes as Goldman Sachs is announcing to investors there’s no reason to fear commodities anymore as rising interest rates could make the rally in commodities prices last.

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Q1 hedge fund letters, conference, scoops etc

The remainder of 2018 is shaping up to be a bountiful scenario for commodity investments and commodity trading advisors. A bounce in the U.S. dollar means the value of all the commodities increase, as those markets are based in dollars. A good number of commodity markets are now in backwardation, which could allow investors to take advantage of a positive roll yield by simply being long a market. Rising interest rates are good for Managed Futures programs as it allows the ability to go short bond prices (rates up) and the ability to earn a higher interest rate “on the side,” so to speak, via investments in T-Bills, bonds, and other notes with their excess cash (read how that works here).

The month-end numbers for the rest of the asset classes were mum, with no asset class making or losing 1% in April. Despite numerous 1% daily moves and one day with a 2% move in the S&P 500, the moves virtually canceled each other out to finish up 52 basis points in April.