4/18/2024

Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index℠ returns 1.17% in March and 3.35% in the First Quarter

Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index℠ returns 1.17% in March and 3.35% in the First Quarter

Santa Monica, Calif., April 18, 2024 – The Wilshire Liquid Alternative IndexSM, which provides a representative baseline for how the broad liquid alternative investment category performs, returned 1.17% in March and 3.35% in the First Quarter, underperforming a 1.26% monthly return and outperforming a 2.52% quarterly return for the HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index. The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index family aims to deliver precise market measures for the performance of diversified liquid alternative investment strategies implemented through mutual fund structures, backed by a proprietary classification methodology.

Equity markets showed strong performance during the quarter with positive sentiment around GDP and job growth, as well as delayed but still-anticipated rate cuts in the back half of the year.

The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Equity Hedge IndexSM ended the month up 2.04%, outperforming the HFRX Equity Hedge Index’s return of 1.35%. For the quarter, the Wilshire Liquid Alternative Equity Hedge IndexSM returned 6.09%, outperforming its HFRX counterpart’s return of 3.41%.

  • Equity hedge managers saw a strong first quarter with winning positions concentrated in health care and technology, as well as targeted long Chinese and Japan positions. Notably, there has been higher exposure to European stocks, which exhibit higher dispersion but lower relative valuations versus U.S. stocks.

  • Alpha generation was more mixed in March, with gains coming from long positions in particular. There was a reversal of the momentum trade in the final week of the month, causing losses for select managers.

 

The Wilshire Liquid Alternatives Event Driven IndexSM ended the month up 0.54%, underperforming the HFRX Event Driven Index’s monthly return of 1.06%. For the quarter, the Wilshire Liquid Alternatives Event Driven IndexSM returned 1.06%, underperforming its HFRX counterpart’s return of 1.28%.

  • During the quarter, several mega deals drove modest gains for event driven strategies, such as the $33 billion acquisition of Ansys by Synopsis, FDJ's $3 billion bid for Kindred, the $35 billion acquisition of Discover by Capital One and Diamond back Energy’s $26 billion acquisition of Endeavor Energy Partners.

  • Despite the Spirit Airlines/JetBlue merger termination, broad equity market gains were a tailwind for most event driven managers.

The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Multi-Strategy IndexSM, which includes both single- and multi-manager funds, returned 1.60% in December and 4.80% for the quarter.

The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Global Macro IndexSM ended the month up 2.22%, underperforming the HFRX Macro/CTA Index’s monthly return of 2.50%. For the quarter, the Wilshire Liquid Alternative Global Macro IndexSM returned 7.27%, outperforming its HFRX counterpart’s return of 5.87%.

  • After a challenging fourth quarter, the first quarter resulted in strong gains supported by long equity and short fixed income positions, as well as various commodity trends.

  • The bullish stance in equities supported macro strategies across the board in March. Discretionary strategies generated returns from long fixed income exposure in Europe and Latin America, while Japanese yen positions detracted, despite the Bank of Japan’s move away from negative interest rates. Trend-following strategies benefited from longs in crude oil, cocoa, and gold positions, as well as shorts in the Swiss franc.

The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Relative Value IndexSM ended the month up 0.21%, underperforming the HFRX Relative Value Arbitrage Index’s monthly return of 0.53%. For the quarter, the Wilshire Liquid Alternative Relative Value IndexSM returned 0.34%, underperforming its HFRX counterpart’s return of 0.68%.

  • Despite rising Treasury yields, relative valuemanagers achieved flat but still positive returns during the quarter due to gainsin credit and rates hedges. Despite a longer high rates cycle, defaults haveremained low. Significant refinancings between now and 2026 are expected todrive a wider credit premium.

  • In March, similarly to the rest of the quarter overall,gains in credit offset losses from higher yields. Structured credit gains werelargely driven by carry, along with some modest spread tightening.

 

About Wilshire

Wilshire is a leading global financial services firm and trusted partner to a diverse range of approximately 500 leading institutional investors and financial intermediaries. Our clients rely on us to improve investment outcomes for a better future. Wilshire advises on over $1.4 trillion in assets and manages $121 billion in assets as of December 31, 2023. Wilshire is headquartered in the United States with offices worldwide.

Index Definitions

Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index℠

The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index℠ measures the collective performance of the five Wilshire Liquid Alternative strategies that make up the Wilshire Liquid Alternative Universe. Created in 2014, with a set of time series of data beginning on December 31, 1999, the Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index (WLIQA) is designed to provide a broad measure of the liquid alternative market by combining the performance of the Wilshire Liquid Alternative Equity Hedge Index (WLIQAEH), Wilshire Liquid Alternative Global Macro Index (WLIQAGM), Wilshire Liquid Alternative Relative Value Index (WLIQARV), Wilshire Liquid Alternative Multi-Strategy Index (WLIQAMS), and Wilshire Liquid Alternative Event Driven Index (WLIQAED). Its objective is to provide a representative baseline for how the liquid alternative investment category performs as a whole.

Wilshire Liquid Alternative Equity Hedge Index℠

The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Equity Hedge Index℠ measures the performance of the equity hedge strategy component of the Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index. Equity hedge investment strategies predominantly invest in long and short equities. Its objective is to provide a broad measure of the equity hedge sub-strategy of the liquid alternative market.

Wilshire Liquid Alternative Event Driven Index℠

The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Event Driven Index℠ measures the performance of the event driven strategy component of the Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index. Event driven strategies predominantly invest in companies involved in corporate transactions such as mergers, restructuring, distressed, buy backs, or other capital structure changes. Its objective is to provide a broad measure of the event driven sub-strategy of the liquid alternative market.

Wilshire Liquid Alternative Multi-StrategyIndex℠

The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Multi-Strategy Index℠ measures the performance of the multi-strategy strategy component of the Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index. Multi-strategy strategies invest in multiple alternative managers/fund of funds and replication strategies. Its objective is to provide a broad measure of the multi-strategy sub-strategy of the liquid alternative market.

Wilshire Liquid Alternative Global Macro Index℠

The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Global Macro Index℠ measures the performance of the global macro strategy component of the Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index. Global macro strategies predominantly invest in situations driven by the macro-economic environment across the capital structure as well as currencies and commodities. Its objective is to provide a broad measure of the global macro sub-strategy of the liquid alternative market.

Wilshire Liquid Alternative Relative Value Index℠

The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Relative Value Index℠ measures the performance of the relative value strategy component of the Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index.Relative value strategies are focused on the valuation discrepancy in the relationships between markets or securities. Its objective is to provide abroad measure of the relative value sub-strategy of the liquid alternative market.

HFRI Global Hedge Fund Index

The HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index is designed to be representative of the overall composition of the hedge fund universe. It is comprised of all eligible hedge fund strategies; including but not limited to convertible arbitrage, distressed securities, equity hedge, equity market neutral, event driven, macro, merger arbitrage, and relative value arbitrage. The strategies are asset weighted based on the distribution of assets in the hedge fund industry. Hedge Fund Research, Inc. (HFR) utilizes a UCITSIII compliant methodology to construct the HFRX Hedge Fund Indices. The methodology is based on defined and predetermined rules and objective criteria to select and rebalance components to maximize representation of the Hedge Fund Universe. HFRX Indices utilize state-of-the-art quantitative techniques and analysis; multi-level screening, cluster analysis, Monte-Carlo simulations and optimization techniques ensure that each Index is a pure representation of its corresponding investment focus.

HFRI Equity Hedge (Total) Index

Equity Hedge: Investment Managers who maintain positions both long and short in primarily equity and equity derivative securities. A wide variety of investment processes can be employed to arrive at an investment decision, including both quantitative and fundamental techniques; strategies can be broadly diversified or narrowly focused on specific sectors and can range broadly in terms of levels of net exposure, leverage employed, holding period, concentrations of market capitalizations and valuation ranges of typical portfolios. EH managers would typically maintain at least 50% exposure to, and may in some cases be entirely invested in, equities, both long and short.

HFRI Event-Driven (Total) Index

Event-Driven: Investment Managers who maintain positions in companies currently or prospectively involved in corporate transactions of a wide variety including but not limited to mergers, restructurings, financial distress, tender offers, shareholder buybacks, debt exchanges, security issuance or other capital structure adjustments. Security types can range from most senior in the capital structure to most junior or subordinated, and frequently involve additional derivative securities. Event Driven exposure includes a combination of sensitivities to equity markets, credit markets and idiosyncratic, company specific developments. Investment theses are typically predicated on fundamental characteristics (as opposed to quantitative), with the realization of the thesis predicated on a specific development exogenous to the existing capital structure.

HFRI Macro/CTA Index

Macro strategy managers trade a broad range of strategies in which the investment process is predicated on movements in underlying economic variables and the impact these have on equity, fixed income, hard currency and commodity markets. Managers employ a variety of techniques, both discretionary and systematic analysis, combinations of top down and bottom up theses, quantitative and fundamental approaches and long and short term holding periods. Although some strategies employ RV techniques, Macro strategies are distinct from RV strategies in that the primary investment thesis is predicated on predicted or future movements in the underlying instruments, rather than realization of a valuation discrepancy between securities. In a similar way, while both Macro and equity hedge managers may hold equity securities, the overriding investment thesis is predicated on the impact movements in underlying macroeconomic variables may have on security prices, as opposed to EH, in which the fundamental characteristics on the company are the most significant and integral to investment thesis.

HFRI Relative Value Arbitrage Index

Relative Value investment managers who maintain positions in which the investment thesis is predicated on realization of a valuation discrepancy in the relationship between multiple securities. Managers employ a variety of fundamental and quantitative techniques to establish investment theses, and security types range broadly across equity, fixed income, derivative or other security types. Fixed income strategies are typically quantitatively driven to measure the existing relationship between instruments and, in some cases, identify attractive positions in which the risk adjusted spread between these instruments represents an attractive opportunity for the investment manager. RV position may be involved in corporate transactions also, but as opposed to ED exposures, the investment thesis is predicated on realization of a pricing discrepancy between related securities, as opposed to the outcome of the corporate transaction.

Important Information

Wilshire is a global financial services firm providing diverse services to various types of investors and intermediaries. Wilshire’s products, services, investment approach and advice may differ between clients and all of Wilshire’s products and services may not be available to all clients. For more information regarding Wilshire’s services, please see Wilshire’s ADV Part 2 available at www.wilshire.com/ADV.  

The information from third parties contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Wilshire gives no representations or warranties as to the accuracy of such information, and accepts no responsibility or liability (including for indirect, consequential or incidental damages) for any error, omission or inaccuracy in such information and for results obtained from its use. This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, accounting, tax, investment, or other professional advice. This material contains proprietary information of Wilshire. It may not be disclosed, reproduced, or otherwise distributed, in whole or in part, to any other person or entity without prior written permission from Wilshire. This material represents the current opinion of Wilshire and is subject to change without notice. Wilshire assumes no duty to update any such opinions.

The Wilshire® and FT Wilshire indexes are calculated by Wilshire Opco UK Limited (Wilshire Indexes). The indexes do not represent an investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Exposure to an asset class represented by an index may be available through investable instruments derived from that index. Wilshire makes no representations regarding the advisability of investing in investment products based on the indexes not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Wilshire. Index returns do not reflect payment of certain sales charges or fees an investor may pay to purchase the securities underlying the index or investment vehicles intended to track the performance of the index. The imposition of these fees and charges would cause actual performance of the securities/vehicles to be lower than the index performance shown. Inclusion of a company in the Wilshire and FT Wilshire indexes does not in any way reflect an opinion of Wilshire on the investment merits of the company. Index returns are preliminary and are subject to revision. Wilshire Indexes assumes no duty to update this material. Data from Wilshire Indexes may not be disclosed, reproduced, or otherwise distributed, in whole or in part, to any other person or entity without prior written permission from Wilshire Indexes.

Wilshire Advisors LLC (Wilshire) is an investment advisor registered with the SEC. Wilshire® is a registered service mark. All other trade names, trademarks, and/or service marks are the property of their respective holders.

More information on Wilshire can be found at www.wilshire.com.

Copyright © 2024 Wilshire. All rights reserved.

MM-530169 0424

 

Download PDF

We’re here to help

Wilshire has been applying highly tested theories and approaches to our client solutions since 1981.

Our clients rely on us to improve investment outcomes for a better future.

Contact us