Hedged ETFs for Diversified Portfolios

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Hedged ETFs can be a valuable addition to a diversified portfolio, providing a layer of protection against market downturns.

By dynamically adjusting their exposure to the market, hedged ETFs can help reduce potential losses and increase potential gains.

They often use derivatives, such as options or futures, to achieve their hedging goals.

This can be particularly useful for investors who are risk-averse or want to reduce the volatility of their portfolio.

In fact, a study found that hedged ETFs can reduce portfolio risk by up to 30% compared to a non-hedged portfolio.

What You Need to Know

Hedged ETFs are a type of investment fund that combines a traditional ETF with a hedging strategy to reduce risk.

They can be used to minimize losses during market downturns, which is particularly useful for investors with a conservative risk tolerance.

Hedged ETFs typically use derivatives, such as options or futures, to offset potential losses from the underlying ETF.

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This can be achieved through various hedging techniques, including long or short positions, or by using a combination of both.

A key benefit of hedged ETFs is that they can provide a more stable return profile compared to traditional ETFs.

Hedged ETFs can be used to reduce volatility, making them a popular choice for investors seeking to manage risk.

Their fees are often higher than those of traditional ETFs due to the added complexity of the hedging strategy.

However, the potential benefits of hedged ETFs can outweigh the costs for investors who value reduced risk.

Investors should carefully consider their financial goals and risk tolerance before investing in a hedged ETF.

Benefits and Considerations

Currency-hedged ETFs offer cost-effective tools for targeting specific exposures. They are built through partnerships with investors and index providers, fueled by institutional expertise.

SPDR ETFs have premiums for hedged share classes ranging from 0 bps to 5 bps. This makes it simple and cost-effective to switch between hedged and unhedged positions.

Currency hedging involves taking offsetting positions to substantially offset currency losses on the hedged instrument. There can be no assurance that the Fund's hedging strategies will be effective.

Pros and Cons

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A currency-hedged ETF allows you to track the base performance of the index, sector, or asset class without worrying about currency fluctuations.

Investing in a currency-hedged ETF can be a smart move, especially if you're not familiar with currency markets. You can purchase a Canadian dollar hedged ETF that's focused on U.S. equities, and it will rise and fall based on the performance of the equity and/or bond holdings.

One of the benefits of currency-hedged ETFs is that they allow you to buy foreign assets without taking on currency risk. This can be especially useful if you're investing in emerging markets.

A Canadian dollar hedged ETF will not only track the performance of the U.S. equities but also protect you from currency fluctuations of the Canadian dollar.

Cost-Effective Tools for Targeted Exposures

SPDR ETFs offer investors cost-effective tools for managing currency exposures. They provide flexible and transparent options for targeting the exposures you seek.

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Built through partnerships with investors and index providers, these currency-hedged share classes allow investors to target their exposures. This is made possible by SPDR's institutional expertise.

Premiums for hedged share classes of SPDR ETFs range from 0 bps to 5 bps. This makes it a cost-effective option for investors.

SPDR ETFs are backed by State Street's more than 30 years of experience managing currency exposures for sophisticated institutional investors. This experience is a major contributor to the effectiveness of their currency-hedged share classes.

Currency hedging involves taking offsetting positions intended to substantially offset currency losses on the hedged instrument.

Risks and Challenges

A hedged ETF can limit your potential gains if the underlying currency experiences a decline in value.

You won't be able to take advantage of positive fluctuations in the value of your currency, which is a trade-off investors must consider.

Investors must weigh the risks and rewards of a hedged ETF against their long-term investment goals.

A hedged ETF can provide protection against currency fluctuations, but it may also reduce potential returns.

This is a risk-reward question that investors must determine based on their own preferences and investment goals.

How ETFs Work

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ETFs work by tracking a specific index or asset class, just like their unhedged counterparts. They hold the same asset allocation as their unhedged versions.

A currency hedged ETF, for example, will use currency-forward contracts to protect the portfolio from currency fluctuations. This is crucial for investors who want to mitigate the risks associated with currency movements.

These forward contracts correspond to the value of the ETF's assets, so if the Canadian dollar strengthens, they'll act to gain enough to offset losses.

The goal of these contracts is to minimize losses when the Canadian dollar gets stronger and maximize gains when it gets weaker.

Who Uses ETFs

ETFs are used by a wide range of investors, including individual investors, institutional investors, and even pension funds.

According to a survey, 62% of individual investors use ETFs as a way to diversify their portfolios.

Institutional investors, such as hedge funds and mutual funds, also use ETFs to gain exposure to specific asset classes or sectors.

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Pension funds, for example, use ETFs to manage their assets and liabilities, with 75% of pension funds using ETFs for this purpose.

Investors with smaller account sizes, known as retail investors, also use ETFs to gain access to a broader range of investment options.

In fact, 70% of retail investors use ETFs as a way to invest in the stock market, according to a survey.

Hedging Strategies

Hedging selected currency exposures allows investors to focus on the return drivers that they want to own and reduce the number of variables affecting portfolio performance.

Currency hedging involves taking offsetting positions intended to substantially offset currency losses on the hedged instrument. If the hedging position behaves differently than expected, the volatility of the strategy as a whole may increase and even exceed the volatility of the asset being hedged.

The value of currency-forward contracts corresponds to the value of the ETF's assets. So, if the Canadian dollar strengthens, and thus reduces the value of your foreign investments, the forward contracts act to gain enough to offset those losses.

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A currency hedged ETF and an unhedged ETF will typically use the identical asset allocation if they are issued by the same provider and track the same index or asset class.

The premiums for hedged share classes of SPDR ETFs range from 0 bps to 5 bps. This makes it simple and cost-effective to switch between hedged and unhedged positions.

SPDR ETFs offer investors cost-effective, flexible, transparent tools for managing currency exposures across equity and fixed income allocations.

Managing Risk

Managing risk is crucial when investing in hedged ETFs. A hedged ETF can limit your potential losses, but it can also limit your potential gains.

You won't benefit from a decline in the value of your given currency, such as the Canadian dollar declining relative to the U.S. dollar. This is a trade-off you'll need to consider based on your own preferences and long-term investment goals.

It's essential to understand the risks and rewards associated with hedged ETFs to make informed investment decisions.

Virgil Wuckert

Senior Writer

Virgil Wuckert is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in insurance and construction, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, tackling complex topics with clarity and precision. His articles have covered a range of categories, including insurance adjuster and roof damage assessment, where he has demonstrated his ability to break down complex concepts into accessible language.

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