Dynamic Duration
Key points:
- Active duration management is the sole performance driver for this strategy
- Based on a highly successful quantitative duration model with a proven track record
- Aims to offer protection against rising yields and to benefit from falling yields
Philosophy
Duration management – actively managing a portfolio’s sensitivity to interest rate movements – is crucial for the returns on fixed income portfolios, as they are predominantly driven by changes in government bond yield levels. To forecast yield changes, Robeco developed a quantitative duration model in the 1990s. We believe that such a model can enhance performance by sticking to proven bond market drivers. This also helps avoid well-known human behavioral biases and can even benefit from them.
Process
Active duration management is the sole performance driver for this strategy. The duration positions are based on Robeco’s quantitative duration model. This model generates forecasts for the direction of bond yields in the main developed bond markets (United States, Germany and Japan). The duration overlay is implemented primarily using bond futures. We offer this strategy with an underlying portfolio of government bonds or a money market portfolio.
Team
Robeco’s quantitative duration strategies are managed by the Quant Allocation team in close cooperation with our Global Macro team and Quant Allocation Research team. This ensures that all decisions are based on rigorous quantitative back-testing, combined with deep fundamental knowledge and practical investment experience. All active positions are based entirely on the signals given by the duration model.
