Technically speaking

Markets are especially choppy at the moment so we thought it would be a good time to take a step back and explain some of the more quantitative measures we use to cut through human bias and keep a fresh perspective on markets. At Titan Asset Management one of the key parts of our investment approach is quantitative risk management.  We believe the use of such techniques can help to improve the overall risk/return of the portfolios as well as highlight new investment opportunities. In this blog, I will explain some of these practices and how we use them to help make investment decisions.

One of the techniques we use is technical analysis. Technical analysis is the method of evaluating financial markets by analyzing statistical trends and patterns of price and volume data of securities. It relies on the use of charts and other quantitative tools to identify patterns, such as support and resistance levels, trendlines, and technical indicators, which can provide insights into the direction of price movements and potential entry and exit points for trades. Technical analysis is predicated on the belief that market movements are not entirely random and that historical price and volume data can provide valuable information about future price movements.

At Titan Asset Management we use both technical analysis alongside fundamental analysis, which evaluates the financial and economic factors that underpin the value of a security. Together, technical and fundamental analysis helps to provide the investment team with a comprehensive view of the market, increasing the probability that our investment ideas add value, or reduce risk, across the proposition.

Let’s discuss an example. Back in 2020, the scale of global stimulatory policy became a clear focus point as we, like others, assessed what this shift in fiscal and monetary policy would mean for wider markets. One of our core views at that time was the idea of a commodity carve-out which we felt would outperform a traditional portfolio comprising equities and bonds. To set the scene, please find below a chart and brief explanatory exert from the original blog we wrote at the time, which you can read here.

“Since 1997, there have been four phases where the gold/oil ratio has climbed from below the solid white line to a substantial peak above. These phases are identified by the coloured circles which represent the dot-com bubble, sub-prime mortgage crisis, eurozone slowdown and current corona crisis. The first circle in each phase represents peak-inflationary-optimism… the “pride before the fall”.  The second circle in each phase represents peak-deflationary-pessimism… that “down and out” feeling you get at market bottoms. In each instance, when moving from the first circle to the second, gold has outperformed oil as fear rises and risk aversion sets in. We participated in the most recent move via our allocation to both physical gold and commodity equities in the gold mining sector.

Moving past the second circle represents renewed optimism as markets price in economic recovery. This is currently the case and consistent with oil outperforming gold.

The key takeaway from this chart is that the “down and out” second circle, which we have now passed, has consistently flagged the bottom in commodity markets in each of the last three phases. As such, now is the time to carve-out a specific allocation to commodities across multi-asset class portfolios.”

Having established a potential opportunity in commodities, we then turned to relative value technicals to further assess the viability of this trade idea. The chart below shows the relative performance of a diversified commodity swap ETF versus the a global equity index, MSCI World. Towards the end of 2021, commodities started to outperform equities, as demonstrated by a clear break of the prior downward-sloping channel. This breakout was a bullish indicator highlighting a clear change in market sentiment.

With the fundamentals and technicals aligned we opened a new position across the ACUMEN Portfolios. This preceded a sharp rise in the price of commodities as supply bottlenecks met resurgent demand.

This relative value chart shows the relative performance of the diversified commodity swap ETF versus the MSCI World. When the line moves upwards it means the commodity ETF is outperforming global equities, and vice-versa.

One of the other tools we now use is point and figure charting. Although these charts may look confusing at first glance, point and figure is useful as it strives to strip out market volatility to show the underlying trends. It does so by selecting a box size, with a blue X indicating an upward move, of a prescribed magnitude, and a red O indicating a downward move of the same size.

The horizontal axis is not based on time, rather a new X or O appears each time the security moves by the specified amount. Moves below that threshold level are effectively screened out. One of the clear use cases of point and figure analysis is the ability to set targets which we can trade to, optimizing returns and better managing position-specific risk. With that in mind, the chart below shows the same relative performance of commodities versus equities, in point and figure format.

Following the break-out in relative performance, establishing a new uptrend, a series of upside targets were established (with around 28% upside from levels at the time), which became our profit target for the trade.

Point and figure chart of the diversified commodity swap ETF relative to the MSCI World, source: Updata Analytics

Fast forward to late 2022, and having reached our profit target, we then re-evaluated the position to determine the next steps. As discussed in our Q4 Quarterly Perspectives, we became increasingly pessimistic in our assessment of the market outlook, with inflation peaking and growing recessionary risks following the lagged impact of prior rate hikes.

Referring to the very first chart, we noticed that the gold/oil ratio had fallen to the bottom of the channel. This ‘first circle’ in a new cycle suggested that commodity prices had likely peaked and may fall moving forward. Further, it implied a potential rotation out of cyclicals and into precious metal commodities, like gold.

From a technical perspective, on the relative value chart which we have updated to the present day (below), we observed a clear head and shoulders pattern pointing to further downside risk. On a clear break of the neck-line we exited the position booking a sizeable profit on the trade.  Since exiting the trade, commodities have gone on to underperform equities, coinciding with the clear downside targets set on the point and figure chart.

The updated relative value chart shows a head and shoulders pattern pointing to further downside risk on the break of the neckline.  subsequent breakdown in risk sentiment and catalyst for our decision to exit the trade.

We have exited broad-based commodities, but we retain exposure to gold, which we continue to like (you can read about in more detail in our prior blog Time for Gold To Shine). Technically, however, we are at a key level near all-time highs and at a potential resistance level the yellow metal has struggled to break through on three prior occasions. We think this time is different, but as always, we continue to monitor the position closely.

Gold – running into resistance or ‘this time it’s different’?

This blog has covered quite a lot of ground regarding quite a complex subject matter. The main aim was to highlight the quantitative tools we use and the holistic approach we take to risk management, where the marriage of fundamental and technical analysis can help reduce risk and improve investor returns.

Head of Trading - FX & ETFs
Alex is responsible for the ETF trading and FX strategy at Titan Asset Management and has executed over £5 billion of trades during his prior 4 years at Tavistock Wealth.

Damian Sharp

Chief Operating Officer

Damian’s financial services career spans over 30 years, the greater part spent at Pantheon Financial Management Ltd. As Managing Director Damian steered the group through its RDR rationalisation to its ultimate sale to Ascot Lloyd.

Ian Wood

Chief Investment Officer (Titan Private Wealth) 

Ian joined Titan Private Wealth (TPW), formerly Cardale in 2006 as an equity research analyst, after having extensive experience including tenures at Redmayne Bentley and BWD Rensburg (Investec). Ian obtained his degree from Durham University in 1995 and has dedicated his career to the Investment Management sector. His responsibilities encompass all facets of investment analysis and portfolio construction, in addition to providing invaluable research information to the investment management teams. Notably, Ian is a key member of the Asset Allocation and Stock Selection committees, where he has played a vital role in shaping and formalising Cardale’s investment process and philosophy.

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Peter Doherty

Head of Fixed Income and Lead Portfolio Manager

Peter joined Titan in October 2023 as Head of Fixed Income to build the in-house fixed income business. Prior to Titan, Peter was Head of Fixed Income at Sanlam Investments UK, heading up a team of 7 investment professionals, and Chief Investment Officer at Tideway Investment Partners, where he led the firm’s asset management offering, including the in-house Tideway UCITS funds.

From 1988 to 2008, Peter held senior positions at Goldman Sachs, Bear Stearns and Bank of America in fixed income and structured credit market. Peter holds a degree in Engineering Science from University of Oxford.

Peter set-up the Tideway UCITS Funds ICAV and has been Lead Manager on the Titan Hybrid Capital Bond Fund since its inception in 2016. He has been awarded a FE fundinfo Alpha Manager rating for 2023, nominated as Best Alpha Manager by FE fundinfo in 2023 and nominated by Investment Week as Fund Manager of The Year in 2022.

Chris Turdean

Investment Associate

Chris graduated from New York University with a major in Economics in 2018 and has been working in Fixed Income markets since. Chris started his career at Tideway Investment Partners, acting as a Portfolio Manager’s Assistant, before joining Sanlam Investments UK in 2020 as an Investment Analyst. Chris has been on the Investment Team for the Titan Hybrid Capital Bond Fund since 2018

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Paul Hunt

CEO

Paul Hunt is a proven business leader and entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience and track record of scaling businesses across multiple sectors. Hunt is highly experienced in business turnarounds, strategic planning and creating a positive people culture geared for success.

David Chandler

Senior Portfolio Analyst

David is responsible for providing operational support to the fund managers. David has passed the CFA UK IMC and graduated in 2018 with a degree in Economics and Business Management from the University of Sheffield.

James Peel, CFA

Portfolio Manager – ESG

James is a Portfolio Manager at Titan Asset Management and is responsible for Titan’s approach to sustainable investing. He previously worked as a researcher at the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei. James graduated in 2018 from the University of St Andrews, where he studied economics. He is a CFA charter holder and has passed the CFA UK Investment Management Certificate (IMC), the CFA UK Certificate in ESG Investing and the CFA UK Certificate in Climate and Investing (CCI). He was also included in Citywire Wealth Manager’s 30 Under 30 in 2023.

Jonah Levy, CFA

Portfolio Manager – Physicals

When not collecting various minerals and mining memorabilia, Jonah can be found managing the physical allocations at Titan Investment Solutions. Prior to Titan he worked at Tavistock Wealth for 3 years, having previously gained experience in Holland at an oil brokerage, and in London at an energy trading house. Jonah is a CFA charter holder, having graduated from St. Andrews University with an MA in Management and Economics.

Alex Livingstone, CFA

Head of Trading – FX & ETFs

Alex is responsible for the ETF trading and FX strategy at Titan Investment Solutions and has executed over £5 billion of trades during his prior 4 years at Tavistock Wealth. Alex also assists in the wider portfolio management of the CIP specialising in technical analysis and risk management. He is a CFA charter holder and holds an BSc in Retailing, Marketing and Management from Loughborough University.

Sekar Indran, CFA

Senior Portfolio Manager – Equities

Sekar is responsible for managing the team’s equity investments. He helped expand the investment proposition over five years at Tavistock Wealth and continues this role at Titan Investment Solutions. Sekar has prior financial services experience at Barclays and Allianz. He is a CFA charter holder and holds a BSc degree in Industrial Economics from the University of Nottingham.

John Leiper, MSc, CFA, FDP, CFTe

Chief Investment Officer

John Leiper is the Chief Investment Officer of Titan Investment Solutions and carries direct responsibility for all investments in the Centralised Investment Proposition (CIP) at the firm. John has 15 years’ experience in financial markets having previously worked in a variety of roles at RBS, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse and Tavistock Wealth. John Leiper is a CFA and FDP charter holder and a member of the Society of Technical Analysts. He holds a BSc degree in Economics from Warwick University and an MSc degree in Economic History from the London School of Economics.

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