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Is Commodity Index Investing Profitable?

Author

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  • Fethke, Tobias
  • Prokopczuk, Marcel

Abstract

Using a comprehensive dataset of first, second and third generation commodity indices, we investigate the potential diversification benefits in equity-bond portfolios. The results show that first generation commodity indices are outperformed by enhanced indices. Second generation indices provide slightly increased portfolio Sharpe ratios but at the same time they are spanned by benchmark assets. For third generation commodity indices, the mean-variance spanning hypothesis is rejected but they show heterogenous out-of-sample performances. We thus present new evidence showing that the performance of the third generation of commodity indices is less clear-cut than found in existing studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Fethke, Tobias & Prokopczuk, Marcel, 2018. "Is Commodity Index Investing Profitable?," Hannover Economic Papers (HEP) dp-635, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät.
    • Handle: RePEc:han:dpaper:dp-635
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Fuertes, Ana-Maria & Zhao, Nan, 2023. "A Bayesian perspective on commodity style integration," Journal of Commodity Markets, Elsevier, vol. 30(C).
    4. Fuertes, Ana-Maria & Zhao, Nan, 2022. "A Bayesian Perspective on Commodity Style Integration," MPRA Paper 117831, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2023.
    5. Gagnon, Marie-Hélène & Manseau, Guillaume & Power, Gabriel J., 2020. "They're back! Post-financialization diversification benefits of commodities," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Commodities; Investing; Index;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions

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