Weekly Client Letter – November 27, 2023

Analyzing the key force steering the current market environment reveals an intriguing pattern. When we look at one of the most widely followed U.S. equity benchmarks, the S&P 500, a notable observation arises: the collective weight of the top 5 companies in the index exceeds 25%, reaching an unprecedented high. This surpasses even the tech-driven boom of 2020 and the dot-com bubble of 2000.

The implications of such concentration from a risk perspective are significant. Such top-heavy dominance exposes the index to heightened vulnerability, especially considering the characteristic sizable downturns these mega-cap tech stocks can experience.

Historical patterns suggest that periods of extreme concentration are often followed by a reversion to more standard levels. This could manifest as the remaining index components catching up or a retreat by the top stocks.

However, forecasting market dynamics remains unpredictable. Hence, at Redwood, we rely on our quantitative approach. Through dynamic strategies, our goal is to navigate various market conditions while prioritizing the mitigation of downside risks.

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Weekly Client Letter November 13
Source: Bloomberg, Redwood. Data as of 11/24/2023. Date Range from 1/1/1990 – 11/24/2023. For illustration purposes only.
  • We believe the preservation of capital is key to consistent, long-term investment success.
  • Our investment approach is grounded in economic theory and backed by quantitative analysis.
  • Managing drawdown risk is a pillar from which we build our portfolios.

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