2iQ Global Insider Data Helps Quants Navigate the COVID-19 Crisis

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2iQ Research GmbH

08 Apr, 2020, 14:05 BST

While other quant strategies underperformed in March 2020 the 2iQ global insider model recorded an outstanding alpha of 4%

FRANKFURT, Germany, April 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- March was a bloodbath for most investors. The market fell heavily and hidden beta exposure revealed itself within investment strategies. Meanwhile, traditional quant factors collapsed with unusually high correlations only seen during panics.

Chart 1. EnhancedRatio3M Model L/S Returns for March 2020 vs Out-of-Sample Average
In-Sample and Out-of-Sample Global Monthly Performance Histogram
Table 1. Regional and Global Yearly Model Performance
Chart 3. Correlation of EnhancedRatio3M with Selected Factors Since 2019
Chart 4. Daily Rebalancing, EnhancedRatio3M L/S Performance
Chart 1. EnhancedRatio3M Model L/S Returns for March 2020 vs Out-of-Sample Average In-Sample and Out-of-Sample Global Monthly Performance Histogram Table 1. Regional and Global Yearly Model Performance Chart 3. Correlation of EnhancedRatio3M with Selected Factors Since 2019 Chart 4. Daily Rebalancing, EnhancedRatio3M L/S Performance

Yet those with access to 2iQ Research's global insider transaction data could have outperformed. At 2iQ Research, analysts monitor insider buying and selling closely, and throughout March, they noticed that insiders transacted in record numbers. Indeed, the number of transactions was often twice what 2iQ's analysts usually observe, as highlighted in the Bloomberg article Corporate Insiders Send Most Bullish Stock Signal Since '99. What's most interesting about this increased level of insider transaction activity, however, is that insiders demonstrated their level of insight, delivering record long-short alpha performance over the month.

2iQ has always believed that corporate executives and directors have deep insight, and that these insiders are some of the most informed participants in the market. That's why, in 2015, the team developed a model to track the best names as a function of the underlying insider transaction data. They have tracked this model's performance for more than four years now, reporting the monthly performance to their subscribers. Given that March was an exceptional month, they share some key insights below.

A record month

2iQ's EnhancedRatio3M model, which has been live since September 2015, delivered record returns both across regions and globally for the month of March.

EnhancedRatio3M Model L/S Returns for March 2020 vs Out-of-Sample Average

2iQ has used a simple methodology to track the performance of the model since it went live in September 2015 – they take the top 20% long names and the bottom 20% short names and then rebalance monthly on the S&P BMI Universe. Returns are risk adjusted using a cross-sectional risk model.

March 2020 was the strongest performance at the global level in and out of sample, since they launched the model. It was the best performance for North America, and the second best for Europe and the Asia Pacific. The three regions outperforming together is a testament to the orthogonality of the model, and highlights the power of insiders' insights, particularly in turbulent markets.

In-Sample and Out-of-Sample Global Monthly Performance Histogram

At the global level March was definitely the best month for insider transactions and the model. The 2iQ team were happy with the previous 4.5 years of out-of-sample performance, as it provided value consistently across regions. Yet being able to provide outstanding alpha in an extremely turbulent market is a fantastic achievement.

What drove the performance of the model?

During March, 2iQ's model was very effective at differentiating names within the Healthcare, Financials, and Energy sectors (sectors with the best selection effect).

Here are a few examples of companies that were positioned well due to insider transactions and the model:

Long

  • Celltrion Healthcare Co Ltd (068270.KS) - KOR - Healthcare
  • Logitech International SA (LOGI.US LOGN.SW) CH - Information Technology
  • Conagra Brands Inc (CAG.US) USA - Consumer Staples
  • Astrazeneca Plc (AZN.LN) GB - Healthcare
  • Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.US) USA - Consumer Discretionary

And in the small-cap space they had a long indicator on:

  • Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc (INO.US) USA - Healthcare: +76%

Short

  • Apache Corp (APA.US) USA -  Energy
  • Occidental Petroleum Corp (OXY.US) USA - Energy
  • Petróleo Brasileiro SA (PBR.US) BR - Energy
  • Scentre Group (SCG.AU) AUS - Real Estate
  • Amarin Corp (AMRN.US) IRL - Healthcare

Ultimately, the model was able to capture alpha in the large-cap space as well as in the small-and mid-cap space, across a variety of sectors and regions.

Insiders are not like the other factors

Two 'factors' that performed poorly in March were Value and Short Term Momentum (Reversal). Given that 2iQ's insider transaction model has a relatively low correlation to these traditional factors, this helps to explain why it outperformed in March.

As MSCI analysts said in a recent blog post: "Among alternative data sources we examined, the insider-transaction dataset stood out with unique characteristics when compared to traditional risk-model style factors."

Correlation of EnhancedRatio3M with Selected Factors Since 2019

Chart 3 highlights the low correlation and the orthogonality of insiders' behaviour especially after being filtered by the model, which adjusts transactions for the usual insiders' biases. Insiders do have a bias towards value so the model generally reduces this exposure by 5%-15% over simpler metrics like CountRatio3M highlighted in the chart above. 2iQ's methodology therefore limits the correlation between the insider model and the Value factor.

March was a smooth ride up

Chart 4 tracks a daily rebalanced portfolio using 2iQ's EnhancedRatio3M signal. Performance varies slightly from the monthly holding period but gives a good indication of the level of stress and the drawdown that the strategy experienced during the month.

Daily Rebalancing, EnhancedRatio3M L/S Performance

Both within regions and globally the trend was mostly up and relatively smooth. 2iQ noted that Europe and Asia Pacific peaked around the middle of March. All strategies rallied in the last week of March as the market stabilised a little and investors were able to differentiate between the winners and the losers of the previous few weeks of turmoil. Clearly, insiders demonstrated their knowledge during this period.

What Now?

As can be seen, the information provided by the market's most informed participants can be extremely valuable. It is uncorrelated to other more traditional factors, even during periods of market turmoil.

There is no doubt that further volatility is awaiting us. A further downside could be seen  before a sustained recovery takes place. 2iQ believes that in times like this, insider transaction data for cross-sectional stock selection is an indispensable tool for investors whether they have a fundamental, quantamental, or fully-systematic approach.

To learn more about 2iQ's global insider transaction model and its data offering please get in touch. They would be happy to provide with more information and trial data.

Media Contact:

Robert Hable 
press@2iqresearch.com 
+44-20-3608-0527

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SOURCE 2iQ Research GmbH