Scientific Beta

Among the highlights of the April 2015 monthly performance report for the ERI Scientific Beta indices, this month, the best performing index among smart factor indices is the SciBeta Developed High Volatility Diversified Multi-Strategy index, with a relative return of 0.66% compared to the broad cap-weighted index. 

Recent years have seen the development of numerous smart beta indices whose weighting schemes depart from those of cap-weighted indices. Smart beta indices may be obtained by tilting economic factors, such as book-to-market, size or volatility, or by introducing greater diversification into the index, as illustrated in multi-strategy indices. The positive performance of smart beta indices over the long term has been largely documented in the literature. However, these indices are exposed to risk factors that differ from those of cap-weighted indices and that may cause variations in performance over short periods. As a result, the presentation of long-term performance is not enough for investors, who are also demanding performance figures over recent and shorter periods. The present report gives a complete picture of smart beta index performance with both long-term and short-term figures that illustrate the variations in performance over the different time periods, as well as the variations in performance between the various strategies. As a result, combining the various smart beta strategies makes it possible to obtain more robust performance.

Among the highlights of the April 2015 monthly performance report for the ERI Scientific Beta indices: 

• This month, the best performing index among those smart factor indices is the SciBeta Developed High Volatility Diversified Multi-Strategy index, with a relative return of 0.66% compared to the broad cap-weighted index, while the SciBeta Developed Low Volatility Diversified Multi-Strategy index posts the lowest relative return (-1.10%). While only four strategies among sixteen post positive relative returns compared to the broad-cap weighted index, all smart factor strategies achieve strongly positive absolute returns ranging from 1.47% to 3.23%. Performance for smart factor indices exposed to risk factors known to be well rewarded over long periods remains strong, with annual performance in excess of broad cap-weighted indices ranging from 1.03% to 3.04% since inception for the Developed universe.
  
  
• Scientific Beta Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy (MBMS) indices associate an effective choice of weighting scheme, in terms of diversification, with an allocation to well-rewarded smart factors, to prevent indices from being too concentrated in one factor and to reduce their specific risks. Over the past ten years, the SciBeta Developed Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy EW (Equal Weights) index and the SciBeta Developed Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy ERC (Equal Risk Contribution) index post strong annual relative returns of 1.86% and 1.76%, respectively, compared to cap-weighted indices.
  
  
• This month, the SciBeta Developed Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy EW index and the SciBeta Developed Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy ERC index post relative returns of -0.61% and -0.57%, respectively, compared to cap-weighted indices. This underperformance is due to the strong rise in the equity markets in a large number of regions which is favourable to cap-weighted indices. Overall, the Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy indices, which are very well diversified, cannot take advantage of extreme bull periods that are excessive compared to normal market conditions, since one of the characteristics of the Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy indices, like all diversified indices, is that they are not concentrated in a tiny number of stocks that are representative of this "abnormal" appreciation. However, year-to-date the relative returns of the SciBeta Developed Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy indices are positive (0.37% and 0.35%, respectively).
  
  
• Over the long term, all Scientific Beta Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy indices post positive excess return compared to broad cap-weighted indices. Using long-term US track records since January 1, 1975 (40 years), the EW and ERC benchmarks post respective relative returns compared to cap-weighted indices of 3.95% and 3.76%.