Diversification: Since the instruments are floating rate and get reset as the interest rates rise, it provides a good diversification for a traditional fixed income portfolio.
Recognizing the importance of this asset class, S&P Dow Jones Indices developed the S&P Indices Versus Active (SPIVA) Scorecard dedicated to Senior Loans. SPIVA Scorecard measures the performance of actively managed floating-rate loan funds vs. their benchmark, the S&P/LSTA U.S. Leveraged Loan 100 Index. Here are some of the stats:
- Active funds fared well over the 12-month period ending Dec. 31, 2013, with the majority of active funds (60%) outperforming the benchmark.
- However, when viewed over medium- to long-term, three- and five-year horizons, 61.54% and 90.48% of the active loan participation funds underperformed the benchmark, respectively.
- Over the past five years, the number of loan participation funds has nearly doubled, from 21 to 40, which is a testament to the growing popularity of the asset class.
This article was written by Vishal Arora, director index research & design, S&P Dow Jones Indices.
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