Momentum Portfolio August Update
In 2011 Scott’s Investments began tracking a momentum portfolio which ranks a basket of ETFs based on price momentum and volatility. In 2014 I also introduced a pure momentum system, which ranks the same basket of ETFs based solely on 6 month price momentum. The first portfolio was previously called the “ETFReplay.com Portfolio” but at the beginning of 2016 was renamed “Conservative Momentum Portfolio” (or “6/3/3 strategy”) to reflect some changes in the portfolio and tracking methodology for both portfolios detailed below.
In previous years the Conservative Momentum Portfolio began with a static basket of 14 ETFs. The basket of 14 ETFs has been reduced to 10 ETFs. This change was made in order to further simplify the portfolio. The 10 ETFs are listed below:
| RWX | SPDR DJ International Real Estate |
| PCY | PowerShares Emerging Mkts Bond |
| EFA | iShares MSCI EAFE |
| EEM | iShares MSCI Emerging Markets |
| VNQ | Vanguard MSCI U.S. REIT |
| TIP | iShares Barclays TIPS |
| VTI | Vanguard MSCI Total U.S. Stock Market |
| GLD | SPDR Gold Shares |
| TLT | iShares Barclays Long-Term Trsry |
| SHY | iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Treasry Bnd Fd |
The ETFs are still ranked by 6 month total returns (weighted 40%), 3 month total returns (weighted 30%), and 3 month price volatility (weighted 30%). The top 3 are purchased at the beginning of each month and if a holding drops out of the top 3 at the next month’s rebalance it will be replaced. Previously, the portfolio purchased the top 4 ETFs and only sold when a holding dropped out of the top 5. In addition, ETFs previously had to be ranked above the cash-like ETF (SHY) in order to be included in the portfolio. This requirement has been removed, so the top 3 ETFs will be held regardless of proximity to SHY.
Pure Momentum System
The pure momentum system previously ranked ETFs based solely on 6 month price momentum. For 2015 the strategy now ranks ETFs based on 5 month price momentum. There is no cash filter in the pure momentum system, volatility ranking, or requirement to limit turnover. Previously the strategy bought the top 4 ETFs each month – going forward the top 3 ETFs will be purchased. The portfolio and rankings are posted on the same spreadsheet as the 6/3/3 strategy.
The portfolio names dropped “ETFreplay.com” because the strategies can be tracked on multiple website. ETFReplay.com is still an excellent choice for tracking and backtesting the strategies detailed. However, a formidable free option for backtesting these strategies has emerged at Portfolio Visualizer.
The current top 3 ETFs are listed below for each strategy:
| Conservative Momentum | |
| PCY | PowerShares Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt Portfolio |
| VNQ | Vanguard MSCI U.S. REIT |
| TLT | iShares Barclays 20 Year Treasury Bond Fund |
| Pure Momentum | |
| VTI | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF |
| EEM | iShares MSCI Emerging Markets |
| VNQ | Vanguard MSCI U.S. REIT |
The current portfolios are below:
Conservative Momentum
| Position | Shares | Avg Purchase Price | Purchase Date |
| PCY | 148 | 30.16 | 7/29/2016 |
| VNQ | 49 | 83.67 | 5/31/2016 |
| TLT | 31 | 138.9 | 6/30/2016 |
Pure Momentum
| Position | Shares | Purchase Price | Purchase Date |
| VTI | 31 | 111.42 | 7/29/2016 |
| EEM | 98 | 34.36 | 6/30/2016 |
| VNQ | 38 | 88.67 | 6/30/2016 |
Current positions can be viewed on Scott’s Investments here.
Disclosure: None.
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