YTD Asset Class Returns Scorecard

Here’s where the major markets stand in 2013 through the end of July (via Bank of America Merrill Lynch).

As you can see by the YTD column, hedging activity or diversification of any kind with either treasurys, gold or vix options has cost many portfolios quite a bit. The key is to remember that this isn’t always or even usually the case – it just so happens to be the case in 2013.

Five months still to go, anything can happen…