Updates on how dynamic, risk-managed investment solutions are performing in the current market environment.
U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 gained 1.64%, the NASDAQ Composite gained 1.29%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.08%. Ten of the 11 sectors were up last week; Real Estate, which posted the best return, was up 3.22%. Eight of the 11 Quantified Funds were up last week: The Quantified Evolution Plus Fund (QEVOX) was up 3.06%, the Quantified Tactical Sectors Fund (QTSSX) was up 2.90%, the Quantified Common Ground Fund (QCGDX) was up 2.63%, the Quantified Market Leaders Fund (QMLFX) was up 2.49%, the Quantified Pattern Recognition Fund (QSPMX) was up 2.37%, the Quantified Rising Dividend Tactical Fund (QRDTX) was up 1.61%, the Quantified Alternative Investment Fund (QALTX) was up 0.82%, the Quantified STF Fund (QSTFX) was up 0.39%, the Quantified Managed Income Fund (QBDSX) was down 0.23%, the Quantified Tactical Fixed Income Fund (QFITX) was down 0.79%, and the Quantified Government Income Tactical Fund (QGITX) was down 0.97%.
The Market Environment Indicator (MEI) was bullish last Friday. Equity asset-class allocations in the Quantified Market Leaders Fund were the following: Large-Cap Value (7.57%), Mid-Cap Value (22.70%), Mid-Cap Growth (15.13%), and Large-Cap Growth (30.26%). Total sector ETF weightings were at 75.66%, holding exposures to Financials, Energy, Technology, and Banking.
The cash level within the Quantified Alternative Investment Fund decreased by 3.17% last week (15.59%). The largest allocation increase and decrease, respectively, within the Quantified Alternative Investment Fund (QALTX) last week were the following: Allocation to the IQ Global Resources ETF (GRES, 2.10%) increased by 1.05%, while allocation to the WisdomTree Managed Futures Strategy Fund (WTMF, 1.33%) decreased by 0.90%. Last week, the funds were down 0.39% and 0.11%, respectively.
The capital allocation of the volatility-based systematic trading of NASDAQ 100 Index futures started the week with a 4% net long exposure. On Tuesday, the position changed to a 6% net long exposure. On Wednesday, the position changed to a 7% net long exposure.
The capital allocation to 30-year U.S. Treasury bond futures in the Quantified Alternative Investment Fund changed to a 12% net long exposure on Friday.
The QFC Self-adjusting Trend Following strategy's signal of exposure in the NASDAQ 100 Index (NDX) started the week with a 100% net long exposure. On Thursday, the position changed to a 200% net long exposure. The Quantified STF Fund (QSTFX) was up 0.39% for the week, compared to a gain of 1.37% for the NASDAQ 100 Index (NDX) and a gain of 1.34% for the Rydex Series NASDAQ 100 Fund (RYHOX), a current potential holding of the STF strategy.
The Quantified Managed Income Fund's (QBDSX) largest ETF allocations were the SPDR Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK, 9.10%) and the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT, 7.20%). Last week, the securities were down 0.39% and 0.62%, respectively. The cash allocation was at 29.91%.
The 10-year U.S. Treasury closed the week up 3.94%. The capital allocation to 30-year U.S. Treasury bond futures in the Quantified Managed Income Fund started the week with a 14% net long exposure. On Monday, the position changed to a 7.50% net long exposure. On Tuesday, the position changed to a 12.50% net long exposure. On Thursday, the position changed to a 6.50% net long exposure. On Friday, the position changed to an 18% net long exposure. The S&P 500 E-mini futures started the week with an 8% net short exposure. On Thursday, the position changed to an 8.50% net short exposure.
The Quantified Pattern Recognition Fund (QSPMX) started the week with a 160% net long exposure. On Tuesday, the position changed to a 150% net long exposure. On Wednesday, the position changed to a 100% net long exposure. On Thursday, the position changed to an 80% net long exposure. On Friday, the position changed to a 40% net short exposure.
The Quantified Tactical Fixed Income Fund (QFITX) started the week with a 110.50% net long exposure to Treasurys and a 0% net long exposure to high-yield bonds. On Monday, the position changed to a 57.20% net long exposure to Treasurys and a 40.80% net long exposure to high-yield bonds. On Tuesday, the position changed to a 104% net long exposure to Treasurys and a 40.80% net long exposure to high-yield bonds. On Thursday, the position changed to a 50.70% net long exposure to Treasurys and a 40.80% net long exposure to high-yield bonds. On Friday, the position changed to an 85.80% net long exposure to Treasurys and a 0% net long exposure to high-yield bonds.
The Quantified Government Income Tactical Fund (QGITX) started the week with a 101.40% net long exposure to Treasurys. On Monday, the position changed to a 55.90% net long exposure to Treasurys. On Tuesday, the position changed to a 91% net long exposure to Treasurys. On Thursday, the position changed to a 46.80% net long exposure to Treasurys. On Friday, the position changed to a 91% net long exposure to Treasurys.
The Quantified Evolution Plus Fund had the following allocations at the end of last week: 37% in the S&P 500, 34% in real estate, 16% in the U.S. dollar, 7% in the NASDAQ 100, and 6% in the Russell 2000.
The Quantified Common Ground Fund's (QCGDX) largest allocations were the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT, 20.47%) and West Pharmaceutical Services Incorporated (WST, 8.29%). Last week, the securities were down 0.62% and up 4.05%, respectively. The cash allocation was at 2.50%.
The Quantified Tactical Sectors Fund (QTSSX) had the following allocations: the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK, 50%), the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE, 50%), the SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP, 50%), and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF, 50%).
The Quantified Rising Dividend Fund (QRDTX) was bullish at the end of last week.
Total Return
* Performance for periods of greater than one year are annualized.
As of the most recent prospectus, the expense ratios for the Gold Bullion Strategy Fund are as follows: Investors’ Class (No Load), 1.51%; Class A, 1.51%; Class C, 2.10%. The maximum sales charge imposed on Class A share purchases (as percentage of offering price) is 5.75%. An additional 2% redemption fee applies to all share classes, including Investors’ Class, when shares are redeemed within 7 days of purchase.
The performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month-end please call 1-855-647-8268.
Risks associated with the Quantified Funds include active frequent trading risk, aggressive investment techniques, small and mid-cap companies risk, counter party risk, depository receipt risk, derivatives risk, equity securities risk, foreign securities risk, holding cash risk, limited history of operations risk, lower quality debt securities risk, convertible bond risk, non-diversification risk, investing in other investment companies (including ETFs) risk, shorting risk, asset backed securities risk, commodity risk, credit risk, interest risk, prepayment risk, mortgage backed securities risk, hedging and leverage risk, preferred stock risk, and MLP and REIT risks. For detailed information relating to these risks, please see prospectus.
The principal risks of investing in The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund are Risks of the Sub-advisor’s Investment Strategy, Risks of Aggressive Investment Techniques, High Portfolio Turnover, Risk of Investing in Derivatives, Risks of Investing in ETFs, Risks of Investing in Other Investment Companies, Leverage Risk, Taxation Risk, Concentration Risk, Gold Risk, Wholly-owned Corporation Risk, Risk of Non-Diversification and interest rate risk. “Gold Risk” includes volatility, price fluctuations over short periods, risks associated with global monetary, economic, social and political conditions and developments, currency devaluation and revaluation and restrictions, trading and transactional restrictions.
An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of each Quantified Fund and The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds’ prospectus, which can be obtained by calling 1-855-647-8268. The prospectus should be read carefully prior to investing in The Quantified Funds or The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund.
There is no guarantee that any of the Quantified Funds or The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund will achieve their investment objectives.
Flexible Plan Investments, Ltd., serves as investment sub-advisor to The Gold Bullion Strategy and Quantified Funds. Advisors Preferred, LLC serves is the Funds’ investment advisor.