Discretionary Trading Q4 2019 commentary
Instruments traded | FX spot and CFDs |
Asset classes | FX, equity indices, commodities, government bonds |
Investment style | Discretionary (non-systematic), volatility, opportunistic |
Quarterly return | +6.99% (after trading costs but before any management and performance fees) |
Annualised return volatility (since inception): | 35% |
Average trades per week | 13 |
Market overview
The biggest development of Q4 2019 was the positive resolution to the US-China trade war that concluded in December with a Phase One agreement . Combined with this development was the continued dovish bias of central banks and ultra-low global interest rates, allowing equities to climb steadily in Q4 and resulting in the best yearly performance since 2013. Bonds and precious metals had muted performance, whilst the US Dollar detracted as a result of a dovish US Fed and weak manufacturing data. The British pound rallied strongly due to the Withdrawal Agreement deal from the EU and Conservative party landslide victory in the UK general election.
Portfolio performance
Q4 2019 | +6.99% |
1 Year | –5.8% |
3 Year | 46% |
Since inception (05.01.2011) | 10,610% |
In Q4, the Discretionary Trading Strategy enjoyed strong performance, which can almost exclusively be attributed to GBP/USD trading, based upon significant research into the Brexit negotiations and political developments in the UK over a prolonged period of time.
Trading in other markets had mixed results, and equity markets trading was the biggest detractor from performance for both the quarter and year.
The Strategy has a focus on volatility and event-driven trading, which typically means under performance is often incurred during strong bull markets. Furthermore, the Strategy often favors bearish conditions.
Outlook
Markets experienced reduced volatility in 2019, which led the Discretionary Trading Strategy to adapt and target smaller profits from smaller moves. This is in contrast to prior years, when it had been rewarded by taking sizeable risk in more choppy market conditions. This shift in market environment is the main reason for the Strategy’s flat returns in 2019.
2020 will bring significant political events, including the US presidential elections, that are expected to provide a source of trading profits, and the Strategy manager will closely follow global central banks’ actions.
Any information found in this document, including performance information and statistics are subject to change. You can find the latest updated pricing information on the description page for each available portfolio. In providing this material Saxo Bank has not taken into account any particular recipient’s investment objectives, special investment goals, financial situation, and specific needs and demands and nothing herein is intended as a recommendation for any recipient to invest or divest in a particular manner and Saxo Bank assumes no liability for any recipient sustaining a loss from trading in accordance with a perceived recommendation. All investments entail a risk and may result in both profits and losses, and all capital is at risk. In particular investments in leveraged products, such as but not limited to foreign exchange, derivatives and commodities can be very speculative and profits and losses may fluctuate both violently and rapidly. Speculative trading is not suitable for all investors and all recipients should carefully consider their financial situation and consult financial advisors in order to understand the risks involved and ensure the suitability of their situation prior to making any investment, divestment or entering into any transaction. Any mentioning herein, if any, of any risk may not be, and should not be considered to be, neither a comprehensive disclosure of risks nor a comprehensive description of such risks. Any expression of opinion may not reflect the opinion of Saxo Bank and all expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice (neither prior nor subsequent).