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How about selling commodity futures losers?

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  • Jangkoo Kang
  • Kyung Yoon Kwon

Abstract

This paper explores the benefits of extending the investment universe to commodity futures, from the perspective of momentum traders. We find that the growth‐optimal portfolio includes negative (positive) weights on commodity futures losers (stock winners). Motivated by this finding, we construct a joint momentum strategy, buying stock winners and selling commodity futures losers, and show that it generates an average monthly return of up to 1.91% and provides much lower skewness (0.04) and kurtosis (1.27) than a traditional stock momentum strategy. It also greatly improves profitability, especially in unfavorable market states, and thus effectively manages tail risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Jangkoo Kang & Kyung Yoon Kwon, 2019. "How about selling commodity futures losers?," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 39(12), pages 1489-1514, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jfutmk:v:39:y:2019:i:12:p:1489-1514
    DOI: 10.1002/fut.22051
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    Cited by:

    1. Jangkoo Kang & Kyung Yoon Kwon, 2021. "Volatility‐managed commodity futures portfolios," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(2), pages 159-178, February.
    2. Bianchi, Robert J. & Fan, John Hua & Zhang, Tingxi, 2021. "Investable commodity premia in China," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).

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