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Volatility Block
Today’s Change

A symphony is an automated trading strategy — Learn more about symphonies here

About

A daily-rebalanced block that selects the two least-volatile ETFs among SVXY, VIXM, BTAL, and GLD and allocates 15% of the portfolio equally between them.
NutHow it works
This block runs every trading day. It looks at the last 20 days of price changes for four ETFs: SVXY, VIXM, BTAL, and GLD. It measures how variable those daily moves have been (lower variability = calmer). It picks the two with the smallest variability and uses them for the day. The block itself is set to hold 15% of the total portfolio, split evenly between the two chosen ETFs (7.5% each). If tomorrow a different pair becomes the calmest, the two will switch and weights will be updated accordingly. Assets involved: - SVXY: bets on volatility easing (inverse exposure to VIX futures). - VIXM: exposure to volatility via VIX futures (long volatility). - BTAL: volatility-tilted strategy with a hedging/volatility-harvesting flavor. - GLD: gold ETF, often used as a risk-off hedge. Why this might help a portfolio: when volatility is low, this block tends to pick the most stable volatility-related assets and keeps risk limited. During rocky periods, the rule may rotate into different assets if they become the calmer of the group, potentially providing some hedge without overexposure to any single instrument.
CheckmarkValue prop
Volatility Block: a disciplined 15% sleeve that daily picks the two calmest volatility ETFs, reducing risk and providing hedge-like diversification. Out-of-sample: lower drawdown (14.9% vs 18.8%), negative beta.
1M
3M
6M
YTD
1Y
3Y
Max
Performance
Compared to selected benchmarks
AlphaBetaR2R
0.05-0.20.07-0.27
Performance Metrics
Cumulative ReturnAnnualized ReturnTrailing 1M ReturnTrailing 3M ReturnSharpe Ratio
608.48%14.63%-1.77%0.2%0.9
27.68%1.72%3.79%0.05%0.2
Initial Investment
$10,000.00
Final Value
$12,767.51
Regulatory Fees
$89.65
Total Slippage
$167.10
Invest in this strategy
OOS Start Date
May 8, 2024
Trading Setting
Daily
Type
Stocks
Category
Volatility strategy, etf-based selection, dynamic allocation, risk-controlled sleeve
Tickers in this symphonyThis symphony trades 4 assets in total
Ticker
Type
BTAL
AGF U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund
Stocks
GLD
SPDR Gold Trust, SPDR Gold Shares
Stocks
SVXY
ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF
Stocks
VIXM
ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF
Stocks

FAQ

A Composer symphony is an automated trading strategy that executes trades based on parameters of your choice. Some symphonies are similar to holding one ETF in normal conditions and rotating to a different ETF when market conditions shift, for example a 5% drop in the S&P 500, while others use complex rules with dozens of triggers. However, complex doesn’t always mean better. A simple, well-structured symphony can be just as effective as an intricate one. Learn more about how symphonies work here.

"Volatility Block" is currently performing the same as yesterday today. Performance updates in real time during market hours.

"Volatility Block" is currently allocated toBTALandVIXM. Holdings automatically adjust as market conditions change based on the strategy's rules.

Year-to-date, "Volatility Block" has returned 14.13%. You can adjust the performance chart above to view returns across different time horizons.

The maximum drawdown for "Volatility Block" is 14.91%. The maximum drawdown measures the largest peak-to-trough decline. It's an important metric to evaluate risk and the strategy's behavior during market stress.

To invest in "Volatility Block", simply click the Invest button on this page. You'll need to open an account with Composer if you don't have one yet, then you can start investing. Composer will automatically execute the trades for you based on the strategy's rules. Composer also supports trading individual stocks, ETFs, and options.