Strategic vs. Tactical Asset Allocation

In recent years, the markets, the economy and the global political scene have evolved considerably. We’ve witnessed both remarkable volatility and remarkable resilience in these areas. The reality is that less predictability in today’s economic landscape requires more vigilant risk diversification, coupled with the ability to adapt to a fast-changing environment.1

I work with my clients to set financial goals and make strategic and tactical recommendations to help them reach their individual financial objectives. Equally as important, I want to encourage clients to work with me to monitor their financial progress and let me know when their personal or financial situation changes. Investing mirrors life in many ways: You make plans, but they often get disrupted, waylaid or delayed. By closely monitoring your financial strategy, I can help you determine if and when it’s time to make changes.

To this end, it may be beneficial for you to understand the distinction between strategic asset allocation and tactical asset allocation. Strategic allocation establishes and maintains a deliberate mix of stocks, bonds and cash designed to help meet your long-term financial objectives.2

Tactical asset allocation, on the other hand, is more market focused. While an investor may set parameters for how much and how long he wants to invest in a certain asset class, he may want to then increase or decrease his allocations by 5 percent to 10 percent over a short time based on economic or market opportunities.3

It is important to be aware that tactical asset allocation strategies present higher risks but also the opportunity for higher returns. It’s a good idea to set percentage limits on asset allocations and time benchmarks for when you may want to exit certain positions.4 Tactical asset allocation is, in fact, a market timing strategy, but its risk lies more in asset categories rather than individual holdings, and a crucial key for this type of allocation is to actively manage that risk.5

To help diversify and manage risk, some financial advisors recommend exchange traded funds (ETFs). These are passively managed funds that can be bought and sold throughout the trading day. While ETFs are passively managed, they provide a means for an investor to tactically expand or shrink exposure to a specific asset class in her own actively managed portfolio. Proponents of ETFs favor them because of their low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility.6

Content prepared by Kara Stefan Communications.

1 Nasdaq. June 26, 2017. “Asset owners must be more innovative to fulfill investment missions.” http://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/asset-owners-must-be-more-innovative-to-fulfill-investment-missions-20170626-00612. Accessed July 8, 2017.

2 Chris Chen. Insight Financial Strategists. July 1, 2017. “Tactical asset allocation can enhance a long term strategy.” http://insightfinancialstrategists.com/asset-allocation/?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost. Accessed July 8, 2017.

3 Ibid.

4 Ibid.

5 Girija Gadre, Arti Bhargava and Labdhi Mehta. The Economic Times. June 19, 2017. “5 smart things to know about tactical asset allocation.” http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/invest/5-smart-things-to-know-about-tactical-asset-allocation/articleshow/59189407.cms. Accessed July 8, 2017.

6 Robert Powell. MarketWatch. June 9, 2017. “Why financial advisers prefer ETFs over mutual funds.” http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-financial-advisers-prefer-etfs-over-mutual-funds-2017-06-09. Accessed July 8, 2017.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. 

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.

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