Neutral Holdings Return
Neutral holdings return is a type of investment strategy used by financial advisors and stockbrokers when individuals or companies are debating whether to go long or short on a particular stock or commodity. This strategy essentially takes a more conservative and neutral approach that is neither too optimistic nor pessimistic. The concept is relatively simple - the investor holds a certain percentage of their portfolio in cash or some type of liquid asset while slowly diversifying into an additional asset class. The idea is generally to minimize risk while building a diversified portfolio in an effort to maximize returns while still mitigating risk.
One of the primary goals of a neutral holdings return strategy is to maintain a risk-free asset allocation. This is accomplished by allocating an appropriate amount of what is referred to as vanilla assets, usually money market instruments or cash equivalents, to the portfolio. These assets, which have extremely low volatility, are often used for the neutral holdings portion of the portfolio because of their minimal risk.
By also investing in assets with a greater potential for return, such as stocks and bonds, the investor can also generate a return from the balance of their investments. This strategy is sometimes used by those individuals or companies who are new to investing or who are particularly risk averse. The idea is that if returns from a particular asset class are negative, the investor has the cash or other liquid assets to provide a slight buffer against substantial losses.
In addition to its advantages, the neutral holdings return strategy also has some drawbacks. One of the main drawbacks is that it is difficult to generate significant returns when taking such a conservative approach. The investor may end up with returns lower than had they invested in riskier, higher-yielding securities. Additionally, the investor may become complacent and not take advantage of more attractive investment opportunities which arise.
Finally, investors should be aware that the neutral holdings return strategy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It depends heavily on the individual investors risk tolerance level, their investment goals, and the size of their portfolio. In general, the strategy is recommended for conservative investors or those who are new to investing as it reduces risk while still allowing a diversified portfolio to be built. Ultimately, it comes down to the individual investor to decide whether or not the neutral holdings return strategy is the best fit for them.