Parametric’s Defensive Equity (DE) strategy seeks to provide equity-like returns with reduced volatility over a full market cycle. Investors access the volatility risk premium (VRP) through collateralized put underwriting and covered call overwriting.
For institutions particularly sensitive to volatility, reducing equity market risk in favor of pursuing the VRP smooths out returns over the long term, providing an alternative to hedge-fund strategies at a lower cost and with greater liquidity and transparency.
Investing in an options strategy involves risk. All investments are subject to loss. Learn more.
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A smoother ride
DE’s model-driven approach is designed to remove emotions and guesswork from the investment decision-making process.
We construct a lower-volatility portfolio by reducing equity market beta and systematically selling fully collateralized equity index options to enhance returns. Compared with a fully invested equity portfolio, DE’s combination of reduced equity exposure and the VRP is expected to realize a lower magnitude in drawdowns and a quicker recovery from stress events.
The strategy is expected to deliver the best relative performance in moderately down and sideways markets while trailing in strong rallies. DE is best suited to investors with a heightened sensitivity to equity risk seeking an alternative source of yield.
Portfolio construction
Model beta: 0.5
Intended benefits of Defensive Equity
Systematic process
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DE offers a disciplined and rules-based investment process designed to deliver more predictable, repeatable results without the use of market forecasts or behavioral biases.
Faster recovery
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The defensively structured base portfolio is designed to reduce drawdowns during stress events. Consistent exposure to the VRP aims to deliver faster recovery to prior peak valuation compared with a long-only equity portfolio.
Portfolio diversification
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DE gives investors an alternative return source while potentially delivering favorable risk-adjusted returns without sacrificing liquidity. It may be used as a complement or replacement for hedge funds or low-volatility equity allocations.
How it works
Why choose Parametric?
$376B+
Total firm
AUM
$16.6B
VRP solutions
AUM
30+
Years of
firm experience
As of 6/30/2022
Get in touch
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