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Advantages of Market Participation Strategy (MPS)AdvantagesofMarketParticipationStrategy(MPS)

Market Participation Strategy is a risk-mitigation strategy (RMS) designed to deliver consistent returns by providing upside market capture while limiting portfolio losses during market downturns.

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What is MPS?

PGIM Quantitative Solutions’ Market Participation Strategy (MPS) is a risk-mitigation strategy (RMS) designed to deliver consistent returns by providing upside market capture while limiting portfolio losses during market downturns*. 

How do investors typically utilize MPS?

A lower volatility equity replacement

Adding MPS to a well-diversified portfolio may lower overall standard deviation with similar returns, resulting in an improved risk/return profile.

A component of risk mitigation

Risk, particularly the risk of large drawdowns, can be costly. MPS has limited losses during periods of market turbulence.

An alternative investment allocation

Similar to hedge funds, MPS may enhance diversification and risk-adjusted returns but with much more attractive fees.

Why include MPS in your portfolio?

MPS may help clients achieve their long-term return objectives by capturing approximately 60% of an equity index upside while participating in only 30% of the downside, resulting in performance similar to the index with substantially lower volatility. 

MPS can be an important and positive relative contributor to your overall portfolio risk budget due to its natural risk-reward characteristics, typically measured by Sharpe ratio. As a result, it can help free up additional risk within your risk budget to redeploy elsewhere as needed from a portfolio construction perspective. MPS is particularly compelling during periods of market crises when asset classes can become highly correlated and the benefits of diversification are less pronounced. 

We have extensive experience creating customized solutions that target investors’ desired equity market upside participation while limiting downside. We do this by investing in both Treasury bonds and long-dated equity call options and varying the allocations to each according to investor specifications. This approach has historically delivered on, or exceeded, client expectation while also having almost zero correlation to bonds and a low beta to equities, and when added to a diversified investment portfolio, can enhance the overall risk-reward profile. With its 30-year track record, MPS has demonstrated its ability to meet both upside participation during bull markets and downside protection targets during bear markets. 

How We’re Different

Experienced Team

MPS is managed by an experienced portfolio management team which has remained consistent since inception (Jan 1992).

Consistent Outperformance

MPS has outperformed relative to other risk management strategies, with lower maximum drawdowns and therefore, higher Sharpe and Sortino ratios. The MPS’ risk/return profile is similar to that of various hedge funds, but at a far more affordable fee structure.

Highly Liquid

MPS has an average 80% invested in Treasury bonds which allows for liquidity even during a market crisis.  

Low Turnover

Because MPS holds long-term call options, we eliminate the need for frequent trading, thus keeping the portfolio turnover low. Low turnover can be especially beneficial during periods of equity market turbulence/drawdowns, when liquidity is often an issue.

Low Beta and Uncorrelated to Bonds

MPS has a low beta to the S&P 500 Index and virtually zero correlation to bonds.

Active Management

PGIM Quant Solutions’ tactical views are incorporated into the portfolio as an overlay to our systematic parameters, modifying the timing and magnitude of our equity exposure and duration resets – two key levers driving portfolio performance.

Risk Containment

By using options, the strategy is “long” volatility, which means we have positive exposure to volatility, a key component in reducing risk. Call options are custom-designed with brokers and then listed on the CBOE, reducing counterparty risk.  

Highly Competitive Fees

MPS has much lower fees compared to most RMS and other alternative investment strategies. We charge a competitive, asset-based management fee only, and do not use carried interest or performance-based fees.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

  • Attractive Track Record: MPS has a 30-year track record of mitigating large losses through its bond-like defensive features in turbulent markets, while also providing growth through upside participation in rising equity markets.
  • Protection During Market Crises: MPS particularly shines during significant drawdowns such as the Tech Bubble burst, the Global Financial Crisis, and most recently, during the sharp COVID correction. MPS’ strength as a true downside protection strategy during times of significant crises is compelling, but longer-term performance shows that MPS provides upside participation during rising markets as well.
  • MPS dramatically reduces the largest drawdowns: It can take a long time to recover from big drawdowns.

Largest Drawdowns since 2000

BXM – CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index, PPUT – CBOE S&P 500 5% Put Protection Index, 60/40 Balanced Portfolio (60% S&P 500 Index, 40% Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index), SP5LVIT – S&P 500 Low Volatility Index, P0P1 – ICE BofA Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index, VXAO – ICE BofA Merrill Lynch All US Convertible Index, SPTR – S&P 500 Total Return Index.

How We Can Work with You

  • Exposure: MPS typically targets 60% equity exposure at reset but is completely customizable  to various market exposures. 
  • Global Reach: MPS is available on both a US and Global Equity market basis. In the past several years, we have witnessed a significant improvement in the availability and liquidity of global long-dated options. As such, we are able to create versions using US Small Cap, Non US, and Global indices which capitalize on the same competitive advantages as the US MPS strategy.
  • Implementation: MPS can be used as a lower volatility equity replacement, a component of risk mitigation, or an alternative investment allocation. Similar to hedge funds, MPS aims to decrease volatility while increasing risk-adjusted returns and reducing drawdowns. It has generally provided superior risk-adjusted returns and lower maximum drawdowns with a far more cost-effective fee structure. While hedge fund (long/short) allocations are typically sought for reasons mentioned above, and may deliver results, they do so in a much more costly fashion.  

Meet the team

MPS is managed by an experienced portfolio management team with no turnover since inception (Jan 1992).

Devang Gambhirwala
Devang Gambhirwala

Portfolio Manager

Devang Gambhirwala

Joel M. Kallman
Joel M. Kallman

Portfolio Manager

Joel M. Kallman

Marcus M. Perl
Marcus M. Perl

Portfolio Manager

Marcus M. Perl

Product Specialist

Stephen Brundage
Stephen Brundage

Head of Affiliate Solutions

Stephen Brundage

Putting it All Together

MPS can be part of a well-designed strategic asset allocation framework. MPS leverages the skill of our portfolio managers, who work together across investment teams to combine equity/options expertise with asset allocation experience in the application of tactical views to determine portfolio exposures. Portfolio managers consider current market conditions, their overall economic outlook, and the liquidity available in the marketplace, along with the quantitative parameters used as a guide to reset equity exposures. With its proven 30-year track record, MPS has met its objective of decreasing total portfolio standard deviation while increasing Sharpe and Sortino ratios and lowering maximum drawdown. See how MPS can help you achieve your investment portfolio objectives through participation in equity market upside while limiting the downside. 

Related Insights

Market Protection for Turbulent Times
White Paper

Market Protection for Turbulent Times

By Devang Gambhirwala — Mar 15, 2021

Learn why and how to add risk mitigation strategies to your portfolio, particularly in a market downturn.

Downside Protection during Market Drawdowns
Case Study

Downside Protection during Market Drawdowns

By Devang Gambhirwala — Apr 2, 2020

PGIM Quantitative Solution’s US Market Participation Strategy (MPS) seeks to provide upside market participation while reducing downside risk.

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