In a compelling week of activity, The Numbers’ portfolio honed in on a strategic play around commodity-based ETFs and key international markets, culminating in a slight overall gain despite mixed results from individual trades.
Leading the charge was our long position in the Silver Trust iShares ETF, which delivered an impressive 22.45% return. The rally in silver prices this period could be attributed to a confluence of factors: geopolitical tensions raised demand as investors sought safe-haven assets, and a weakening dollar heightened commodity appeal. This resulted in a significant boost to our portfolio performance, with silver’s surge outperforming typical market expectations.
Similarly, our long position on Gold SPDR ETF contributed positively, adding a 5.31% return. Gold mirrored silver’s trajectory, benefiting from similar global market dynamics. With inflation concerns still looming large on the investor horizon, bullion remains attractive, underscoring the wisdom behind our continued confidence in this asset.
In contrast, equity positions in specific emerging markets ETFs presented challenges. Our long position in the China Largecap iShares ETF detracted slightly from our gains, with a 1.48% loss. The Chinese market remains under pressure amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny and uncertain economic recovery paths post-pandemic, which have added an element of volatility to our position.
Worse still, the Brazil iShares MSCI ETF struggled, marking a 4.12% loss. Economic headwinds in Brazil, characterized by elevated inflation rates and fluctuating commodity prices, have cast a shadow over the near-term outlook. Political uncertainties also compounded investors’ wariness, resulting in the underperformance of Brazilian equities.
Despite the mixed outcomes, the portfolio showcased resilience, closing the week with a total net gain of 1.20%. This outperformed the S&P 500’s 0.80% return over the same period, illustrating our strategic advantage in selecting undercurrents within the broader market.
The Numbers’ ability to capture successful trades 62% of the time highlights both the portfolio’s robustness and agility in navigating complex market landscapes. As we look ahead, the commitment to balancing our portfolio through disciplined trade selections and diversified risk remains pivotal in sustaining investor confidence and upward performance trajectory.