Not exact matches
In some bear markets a broadly diversified, globally diversified
portfolio protects investors
against huge losses, like 2000 - 2002, but most big bear markets are more like 2007 - 2009 when almost all equity asset classes
fell.
To hedge
against a
falling market you would sell or go short the stock index futures contract that best matches the make up of your stock
portfolio.
Instead, you can buy the SH as a small hedge
against your long positions, so if they do
fall off, at least something is buoying your
portfolio by moving higher.
When I first ran the Fee Analyzer
against my own
portfolio, I nearly
fell out of my chair.
Adding to the complexity is the need for both Fannie and Freddie to insure their
portfolios against interest - rate risk — in particular, the danger that borrowers may pay back their loans early, if interest rates
fall, leaving the companies with money to reinvest at a lower rate.
One can reasonably expect, however, that the Alpha
Portfolios would under - perform
against a rising ISEQ (as we see here), and out - perform a
falling ISEQ index.