RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Equity Factors: To Short or Not to Short, That Is the Question
JF The Journal of Investing
FD Institutional Investor Journals
SP joi.2021.1.181
DO 10.3905/joi.2021.1.181
A1 Florent Benaych-Georges
A1 Jean-Philippe Bouchaud
A1 Stefano Ciliberti
YR 2021
UL https://pm-research.com/content/early/2021/07/24/joi.2021.1.181.abstract
AB What is the best market-neutral implementation of classical equity factors? Should one use the specific predictability of the short-leg to build a zero beta long–short portfolio, in spite of the specific costs associated to shorting, or is it preferable to ban the shorts and hedge the long-leg with—say—an index future? The authors revisit this question by focusing on the relative predictability of the two legs, the issue of diversification, and various sources of costs. Their conclusion is that, using the same factors, a long–short implementation leads to superior risk-adjusted returns than its hedged long-only counterpart, at least when assets under management are not too large.TOPICS: Security analysis and valuation, analysis of individual factors/risk premia, portfolio construction, performance measurementKey Findings▪ A toy model gives key insights on the long hedged investment versus long–short investment dilemma.▪ The authors provide an in-depth analysis and revisiting of “When Equity Factors Drop Their Shorts” by Blitz, Baltussen, and van Vliet (2020). ▪ Realistic implementations of long hedged factor investing and long–short factor investing lead to different conclusions than those of Blitz, Baltussen, and van Vliet (2020).