Showing papers by "Robert D. Arnott published in 2022"
TL;DR: From April 2020 through at least the end of 2021, Americans died from non-Covid causes at an average annual rate 97,000 in excess of previous trends, with Mortality from all causes was elevated 26 percent for working-age adults (18-64), as compared to 18 percent for the elderly.
Abstract: From April 2020 through at least the end of 2021, Americans died from non-Covid causes at an average annual rate 97,000 in excess of previous trends. Hypertension and heart disease deaths combined were elevated 32,000. Diabetes or obesity, drug-induced causes, and alcohol-induced causes were each elevated 12,000 to 15,000 above previous (upward) trends. Drug deaths especially followed an alarming trend, only to significantly exceed it during the pandemic to reach 108,000 for calendar year 2021. Homicide and motor-vehicle fatalities combined were elevated almost 10,000. Various other causes combined to add 18,000. While Covid deaths overwhelmingly afflict senior citizens, absolute numbers of non-Covid excess deaths are similar for each of the 18-44, 45-64, and over-65 age groups, with essentially no aggregate excess deaths of children. Mortality from all causes during the pandemic was elevated 26 percent for working-age adults (18-64), as compared to 18 percent for the elderly. Other data on drug addictions, non-fatal shootings, weight gain, and cancer screenings point to a historic, yet largely unacknowledged, health emergency.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors explore a variety of techniques to improve the risk-adjusted returns of individual factors and factor portfolios by adjusting the length of the estimation window to scale factor returns.
Abstract: Several hidden risks of factor investing can lead to investor disappointment; even diversified baskets of factors are prone to sharp drawdowns and prolonged periods of underperformance. Accordingly, the authors explore a variety of techniques to improve the risk-adjusted returns of individual factors and factor portfolios. Introducing a new two-step volatility management method that adjusts the length of the estimation window to scale factor returns, the authors find that this technique is effective in improving both risk-adjusted returns and the trade-off between performance improvement and turnover characteristics. Ultimately, coupling this novel two-step approach with an optimization technique that captures both volatility and correlation information leads to improved risk-adjusted performance, lower volatility of volatility, and improved kurtosis and drawdown characteristics.
TL;DR: Arnott and Sherrerd as mentioned in this paper trace the evolution of beta investing from the launch of the Fundamental Index concept that motivated the term smart beta to the much broader beta investing landscape of today.
Abstract: Jack Bogle, an ardent advocate of low-cost investing, transformed the investment industry in the mid-1970s with the first Vanguard index mutual fund that offered retail investors the opportunity to own the equity market (or at least the 500 companies in the S&P 500 Index) via a transparent, low-governance, high-capacity investment vehicle. Jack’s consistent message over the decades of the futility of trying to beat the market—and therefore the wisdom of cap-weighting—popularized the concept of separating alpha from beta. Without this bifurcation, the smart beta revolution might never have happened. In this article, Rob Arnott and Katy Sherrerd trace the evolution of beta investing from the launch of the Fundamental Index concept that motivated the term smart beta to the much broader beta investing landscape of today. They conclude with four actionable principles for investing in smart beta strategies.