Articles by Greg Swenson, CFA Director of Equities

AdvantHedge was up 3.1% in May, ahead of the inverse S&P 500 (-0.2%), and the inverse Russell 2000 (-0.2%). Although the overall market ended the month flat, this equity hedge still succeeded in identifying pockets of weakness.

In May the Leuthold Core and Global portfolios both outperformed their benchmarks (which were flat), due to strong performance from their underlying equity strategies.

The group is back to where it was before the pandemonium began, both on a price and valuation basis. While the move is likely to overshoot below median and historical lows, we think we’re closer to the final chapter than the midpoint.

AdvantHedge was up 10.6% in April, ahead of the inverse S&P 500 (+8.7%), and the inverse Russell 2000 (+9.9%). After a brief bounce during the second half of March, the selloff in growth stocks—both profitable and unprofitable—accelerated during April.

The Leuthold Core and Global portfolios were down in April, but held up well relative to the selloff in the broad equity market.

Through the first two-and-a-half months of 2022, factor performance maintained the trend established in 2021: Value outperformed everything else and Growth lagged. When the 10-2 year differential dropped near 20 bps on March 16th, Growth stocks outperformed from that day forward, while Profitability and Value suffered.

AdvantHedge was down 3.5% in March, slightly leading the inverse S&P 500 (-3.7%), but trailing the inverse Russell 2000 (-1.2%). It was a tale of two halves as the selloff continued through the first half of the month, while the second half saw a rebound led by speculative growth and reopening stocks.

The Leuthold Core and Global portfolios treaded water in March; their equity positions lagged the market move higher, and fixed income continued to trade lower.

AdvantHedge was up 0.3% in February, trailing the inverse S&P 500 (+3.0%), but ahead of the inverse Russell 2000 (-1.1%). Speculative growth underperformance contributed positive returns, primarily through exposure to the Application Software industry.

The Leuthold Core and Global portfolios were both slightly down during February, with successful equity positioning and exposure to gold buffering them from the selloff in the broad equity market. 

Energy, Financials, and Information Technology remain at the top of our sector scores. Real Estate made the largest advance as it moved from the 11th ranking to 8th. Communication Services has now dropped to sit among the bottom three (9th spot), joining Consumer Discretionary and Industrials at 10th and 11th, respectively.

It’s that time again when S&P and MSCI reevaluate the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) to determine if any changes are warranted. We have a more vested interest in these changes than most, as GICS is the backbone for our industry structure that feeds into the Group Selection (GS) Scores.

It’s been a year since the retail crowd on WallStreetBets—a Reddit forum—banded together to “stick it to the shorts.” The event was short-lived, but the effects are still being felt throughout the market.

AdvantHedge was up 8.4% in January, ahead of the inverse S&P 500 (+5.2%), but it trailed the inverse Russell 2000 (+9.6%).

The Leuthold Core and Global portfolios both held up well compared to the broad equity market as speculative growth stocks continued to lead the market lower.

It’s been a year since the retail crowd on WallStreetBets—a Reddit forum—banded together to “stick it to the shorts.” The event was short-lived, but the effects are still being felt throughout the market.

See this month's sector rankings.

After years of underperformance, Value was finally productive—it was the best factor we track. In general, overall factor performance was good, but worked much better within small- and mid-caps compared to large-caps. Value was especially superior outside of the large-cap universe.

Financials, Information Technology, and Energy continue to round out the top of our sector scores. Communication Services advanced from 10th to 7th. Real Estate made the largest drop as it moved from the 6th ranking to the worst-rated sector at 11th. Holding steady in the 4th and 8th spots are Health Care and Consumer Discretionary, respectively. Joining Real Estate among the bottom-three ranks are Industrials and Utilities.

AdvantHedge was down 2.3% in December, ahead of the inverse S&P 500 (-4.5%) and in-line with the inverse Russell 2000 (-2.2%).