CONQUEST

Risk-Focused Active Asset Allocation

CONQUEST is a suite of professionally managed asset allocation portfolios that seek to control risk and generate solid risk-adjusted returns above the rate of inflation. Continuously managed by the Washington Crossing Advisors team for over a decade, CONQUEST active asset allocation portfolios offer a seasoned, top-down, active alternative to traditional “buy-and-hold” asset allocation strategies.

Risk Management

Portfolios are available with different target asset mixes around which equity exposure can vary (±15%) based on Washington Crossing’s shorter-term market views. Further, portfolios allow for some deviation from long-run target allocations based on evolving market conditions. We seek to manage risk by combining long-run strategic and shorter-term active perspectives in one portfolio.

Two Ways

Portfolio Construction

We view each portfolio as having two parts (chart, below). The “satellite” takes a short-term perspective and focuses on month-by-month fundamental market and economic trends. The “core” of the portfolio evaluates prospects over a one-to-three year forecast horizon. A major advantage of combining short and longer perspectives in one portfolio is the potential to outperform a benchmark while carefully managing risk exposures to a long-run plan.

Core-Satellite

70% Core (1-3 Year Ahead Focus)
A diversified mix of assets focused on long-run expected risk and reward. Evolving risk and return expectations, based on valuation and relative price momentum, determines the weightings of assets relative to the benchmark’s risk exposures.

30% Satellite (3-6 Month Ahead Focus)
A regular evaluation of month-to-month fundamental trends determines the mix of stocks and bonds in the “satellite.” When the 3-6 month forecast of incoming data is expected to show improvement, the satellite will be more heavily concentrated in stocks over bonds. A deteriorating forecast shifts the mix toward bonds and away from stocks. 

Target Asset Mixes

Portfolios are diversified among various asset classes through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Each portfolio has a defined target mix of stocks, bonds, and alternative assets. Deviations from the target stock/bond mix can range from 0 to 15% based on Washington Crossing Advisors’ evolving active decisions.

Overview
Active Range: ±15% vs. Target

* Tax free municipal fixed income option available
** Includes high yield corporate bond, gold, real-estate asset classes

Ongoing Management

Many asset allocation strategies only consider the long-run, often viewed as a decade or more. By contrast, CONQUEST active asset allocation (TAA) recognizes that shorter-term considerations are also important. CONQUEST involves making short-to-intermediate term adjustments to asset class weights based on shorter-term predictions of relative performance among asset classes.

To add value over the short-term, we seek to exploit temporary deviations of asset-class values from their expected long-term relationships. Changes in the underlying risk and pricing of asset classes, and observations about the economy, credit cycle, and market fundamentals, can cause our short-term return expectations to differ from longer-term views. The decision tree below highlights important portfolio decisions that may require ongoing monitoring and management.

Decision Tree

Summary

CONQUEST is a seasoned program of active asset allocation using exchange-traded funds. A variety of target asset mixes, including stocks, bonds, and other assets, are available to fit different risk requirements and long-run expectations. Because short-term views can differ from longer-term expectations, CONQUEST seeks to add value by exploiting these differences through measured active adjustments on an ongoing and systematic basis.

We believe CONQUEST is appropriate for an investor who seeks a diversified portfolio for the long-run, and wishes to preserve some flexibility and seek higher returns through ongoing, professional active management.

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Disclosures