How Equi Hedge Works

Dec 16, 2022

TLDR

  • Equi’s hedging program was launched in February of this year to mitigate the impact of market drawdowns and protect the portfolio from short-term market risks.

  • The hedging program is a balancing act between reducing risk and maximizing the returns of the portfolio.

  • Equi tackles this balancing act with a focus on two primary factors: correlation and convexity.

A core component of Equi’s investment mandate is to outperform a public market allocation (ex. S&P 500) over the long run by mitigating impact from market drawdowns, and retaining upside convexity. In order to achieve this aim and protect the portfolio from short-term risks that we may have exposure to through our underlying managers, Equi launched our internal portfolio hedging strategy in February. The goal of this strategy is to protect the portfolio from short-term drawdowns while allowing us to remain fully invested in order to participate in market recoveries. This strategy has performed as intended YTD, up 40% through the end of October, protecting against the handful of managers that have struggled this year, while also allowing us to remain invested in the strategies we believe have embedded upside going forward.

The hedging program is intended to be a delicate balancing act between both reducing risk and maximizing return on the current portfolio of managers, and offsetting any global system risk. The appropriateness of having either higher degrees of protection in our portfolio vs. smaller amounts geared at protecting against potential unforeseen market events is assessed at all times. Equi thinks about this problem in two parts.

Correlation

Historically, the correlation across asset classes tends to pick up and approach 1 during periods of market turmoil (such as what we’ve seen in 2022). We track the correlation between our underlying managers as well as across global asset classes (bonds, commodities, USD, and many others). Generally speaking, we will continue to hedge while the correlation is high and reduce the hedges when we see a decorrelation. This is because when the correlation is high, there is minimal benefit to diversification, due to the fact that as different asset classes decline in tandem they essentially move as if they were just one single trade. We can therefore reduce hedges once diversification “works” again when the correlation drops. The following chart illustrates this phenomenon in action this year, with various asset classes exhibiting similar behavior (albeit with varying degrees of volatility).

(chart source Bloomberg: EUR/USD, US Treasuries, S&P 500 index, High Yield Bonds, Gold, Bitcoin)

Convexity

We use financial instruments with embedded leverage such as options and futures in order to hedge. This allows us to risk smaller amounts of capital to hedge vs. fully negating/canceling manager returns. For example, we could purchase a volatility option to offset risk from our volatility manager. This may cost a lump sum equal to a hypothetical 10% of the expected annual returns of a given manager. In the event volatility spikes, the option could increase 10x and fully negate any negative losses for the manager. In the event volatility declines, we would have therefore reduced the returns of the manager by only 10% from the expected annual returns. This is the notion of using convexity to hedge.

Although this is an oversimplified explanation of the intricacies of our hedging program, it sufficiently illustrates the core principles that guide how we think about protecting our portfolio.


Towards Equilibrium, LLC (“Equi”) and Equilibrium Ventures, LLC (“EquiV”) communications are intended solely for informational purposes. They should not be construed as investment, legal, tax, or trading advice and are not meant to be a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities including funds mentioned. Any such offer or solicitation can only be made by means of the delivery of a Confidential Private Placement Memorandum to qualified eligible investors.

EquiV is registered as an investment adviser with the Texas Securities Board Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the entity by the Securities Exchange Commission.

Past performance is not indicative of future results and an investment in an investment fund involves the risk of loss. The investment fund is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. The information contained herein is as of the date indicated, not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the more complete disclosures, risk factors, and other terms and conditions contained in the respective offering documents of the respective investment funds.

Before investing in the fund, you should thoroughly review the offering documents with your legal, tax and investment advisors to determine whether an investment is suitable for you in light of your investment objectives and financial situation. An investment in the fund is not suitable for all investors. Performance results are net of all fund and investor adviser expenses and incentive fees, and reflect the reinvestment of interest, capital gains and other earnings. Performance results for 2022 and all subsequent periods are unaudited and are subject to adjustment. The returns shown may vary from the returns for each individual investor based on the timing of capital contributions and/or different fee arrangements.

Asset allocation does not guarantee a profit or protection from losses in a declining market. Investments, when sold, may be worth more or less than the original purchase price.

S&P 500 performance obtained from Bloomberg. References to S&P 500 are included for illustrative purposes only. It is not expected that funds will make investments in S&P 500 companies. Funds are expected to invest with a strategy that is different from a strategy of making equity investments across an index. Accordingly, investors should not expect that an investment would provide exposure that is similar to an index investment in S&P 500 companies or any other specific benchmark.

With any investment, there is a potential for loss as well as profit. The performance displayed is not intended to represent the performance of any particular security. Actual performance of any investment may differ substantially from the back-tested performance presented, as the performance was calculated with the benefit of hindsight and cannot account for all financial risk that may affect the actual performance.

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“Knowledge is wealth, wisdom is treasure, understanding is riches, and ignorance is poverty.”

-Matshona Dhliwayo

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“Knowledge is wealth, wisdom is treasure, understanding is riches, and ignorance is poverty.”

-Matshona Dhliwayo

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Track Record Disclosures

For more details, see our ADV Part 2A.

Communications from Towards Equilibrium Inc. (Equi) and Equilibrium Ventures, LLC (EquiV) (collectively, “Equilibrium Ventures”) are intended solely for informational purposes, and should not be construed as investment or trading advice and are not meant to be a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities mentioned. Any such offer or solicitation can only be made by means of the delivery of a Confidential Private Placement Memorandum, which contains a description of the significant risks involved in such an investment. All figures are estimated and unaudited unless otherwise noted. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Equi is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or any state securities regulatory authority.

EquiV is registered as an investment adviser with the Texas Securities Board. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the entity. The opinions and predictions expressed on this website represent the current, good faith views of Equilibrium Ventures at the time of publication, are provided for limited purposes, and are not definitive investment advice. Predictions, opinions, and other information on this website are subject to change continually and without notice of any kind and may no longer be valid after the date indicated. By using this website, you accept our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Privacy Notice. Equilibrium Ventures, LLC is carrying on the business of, or registered and authorized to, provide investment advice only in the jurisdictions where they are lawfully authorized. Equilibrium Ventures is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm, and no portion of the website should be interpreted as legal, accounting, or tax advice.

Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss. No material available through the website shall be used or considered as an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy the securities or services of any of our affiliated entities. Offers can only be made where lawful under, and in compliance with, applicable law. Please remember that different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by EquiV), will be profitable or equal to any historical performance levels. Investments discussed on the website, if any, may not be suitable for all investors. Investors should make their own investment decisions based on their own financial objectives and financial resources and should obtain independent investment and tax advice before deciding to invest. Graphs, charts, tools, and graphics are used for illustrative purposes only, and may not reflect actual future performance. The contents on this website are provided for limited purposes, and should not be considered definitive investment advice. Equilibrium Ventures does not guarantee any minimum level of investment performance or the success of any investment strategy. As with any investment, there is a potential for profit as well as the possibility of loss. Any links provided to other websites are offered as a matter of convenience and are not intended to imply that EquiV or its authors endorse, sponsor, promote, and/or are affiliated with the owners of or participants in those sites unless stated otherwise. Please see our Terms of Use governing the use of this website.

S&P 500 performance obtained from Bloomberg. References to S&P 500 are included for illustrative purposes only. It is not expected that the Equi funds (Equi Balanced Fund, LP or Equi Growth Fund, LP) will make investments in S&P 500 companies. Accordingly, investors should not expect that an investment in the Equi Funds would provide exposure that is similar to an index investment in S&P 500 companies or any other specific benchmark.

Track Record Disclosures

For more details, see our ADV Part 2A.

Communications from Towards Equilibrium Inc. (Equi) and Equilibrium Ventures, LLC (EquiV) (collectively, “Equilibrium Ventures”) are intended solely for informational purposes, and should not be construed as investment or trading advice and are not meant to be a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities mentioned. Any such offer or solicitation can only be made by means of the delivery of a Confidential Private Placement Memorandum, which contains a description of the significant risks involved in such an investment. All figures are estimated and unaudited unless otherwise noted. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Equi is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or any state securities regulatory authority.

EquiV is registered as an investment adviser with the Texas Securities Board. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the entity. The opinions and predictions expressed on this website represent the current, good faith views of Equilibrium Ventures at the time of publication, are provided for limited purposes, and are not definitive investment advice. Predictions, opinions, and other information on this website are subject to change continually and without notice of any kind and may no longer be valid after the date indicated. By using this website, you accept our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Privacy Notice. Equilibrium Ventures, LLC is carrying on the business of, or registered and authorized to, provide investment advice only in the jurisdictions where they are lawfully authorized. Equilibrium Ventures is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm, and no portion of the website should be interpreted as legal, accounting, or tax advice.

Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss. No material available through the website shall be used or considered as an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy the securities or services of any of our affiliated entities. Offers can only be made where lawful under, and in compliance with, applicable law. Please remember that different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by EquiV), will be profitable or equal to any historical performance levels. Investments discussed on the website, if any, may not be suitable for all investors. Investors should make their own investment decisions based on their own financial objectives and financial resources and should obtain independent investment and tax advice before deciding to invest. Graphs, charts, tools, and graphics are used for illustrative purposes only, and may not reflect actual future performance. The contents on this website are provided for limited purposes, and should not be considered definitive investment advice. Equilibrium Ventures does not guarantee any minimum level of investment performance or the success of any investment strategy. As with any investment, there is a potential for profit as well as the possibility of loss. Any links provided to other websites are offered as a matter of convenience and are not intended to imply that EquiV or its authors endorse, sponsor, promote, and/or are affiliated with the owners of or participants in those sites unless stated otherwise. Please see our Terms of Use governing the use of this website.

S&P 500 performance obtained from Bloomberg. References to S&P 500 are included for illustrative purposes only. It is not expected that the Equi funds (Equi Balanced Fund, LP or Equi Growth Fund, LP) will make investments in S&P 500 companies. Accordingly, investors should not expect that an investment in the Equi Funds would provide exposure that is similar to an index investment in S&P 500 companies or any other specific benchmark.

Track Record Disclosures

For more details, see our ADV Part 2A.

Communications from Towards Equilibrium Inc. (Equi) and Equilibrium Ventures, LLC (EquiV) (collectively, “Equilibrium Ventures”) are intended solely for informational purposes, and should not be construed as investment or trading advice and are not meant to be a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities mentioned. Any such offer or solicitation can only be made by means of the delivery of a Confidential Private Placement Memorandum, which contains a description of the significant risks involved in such an investment. All figures are estimated and unaudited unless otherwise noted. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Equi is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or any state securities regulatory authority.

EquiV is registered as an investment adviser with the Texas Securities Board. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the entity. The opinions and predictions expressed on this website represent the current, good faith views of Equilibrium Ventures at the time of publication, are provided for limited purposes, and are not definitive investment advice. Predictions, opinions, and other information on this website are subject to change continually and without notice of any kind and may no longer be valid after the date indicated. By using this website, you accept our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Privacy Notice. Equilibrium Ventures, LLC is carrying on the business of, or registered and authorized to, provide investment advice only in the jurisdictions where they are lawfully authorized. Equilibrium Ventures is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm, and no portion of the website should be interpreted as legal, accounting, or tax advice.

Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss. No material available through the website shall be used or considered as an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy the securities or services of any of our affiliated entities. Offers can only be made where lawful under, and in compliance with, applicable law. Please remember that different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by EquiV), will be profitable or equal to any historical performance levels. Investments discussed on the website, if any, may not be suitable for all investors. Investors should make their own investment decisions based on their own financial objectives and financial resources and should obtain independent investment and tax advice before deciding to invest. Graphs, charts, tools, and graphics are used for illustrative purposes only, and may not reflect actual future performance. The contents on this website are provided for limited purposes, and should not be considered definitive investment advice. Equilibrium Ventures does not guarantee any minimum level of investment performance or the success of any investment strategy. As with any investment, there is a potential for profit as well as the possibility of loss. Any links provided to other websites are offered as a matter of convenience and are not intended to imply that EquiV or its authors endorse, sponsor, promote, and/or are affiliated with the owners of or participants in those sites unless stated otherwise. Please see our Terms of Use governing the use of this website.

S&P 500 performance obtained from Bloomberg. References to S&P 500 are included for illustrative purposes only. It is not expected that the Equi funds (Equi Balanced Fund, LP or Equi Growth Fund, LP) will make investments in S&P 500 companies. Accordingly, investors should not expect that an investment in the Equi Funds would provide exposure that is similar to an index investment in S&P 500 companies or any other specific benchmark.