Astor Asset Management named No. 4 Top ETF Manager for 2008
Astor Asset Management’s (aam123.com) Long Short Balanced Program was named the No. 4 Best Performing Program by Forbes.com, based on data compiled by Barclays Global Investors’ iShares.
(EMAILWIRE.COM, April 23, 2009 ) CHICAGO (April 23, 2009) – Astor Asset Management’s (aam123.com) Long Short Balanced Program was named the No. 4 Best Performing Program by Forbes.com, based on data compiled by Barclays Global Investors’ iShares.
Astor’s program began trading in 2001 and has averaged over 6.5% a year since inception with only one down year. Astor uses a fundamental model to determine the direction of the economic cycles for multiple non-correlating assets and uses Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s) to construct diversified, non-correlating portfolios including: S&P 500 Trust (SPY), PowerShares QQQQ Trust (QQQQ), iShares iBoxx Investment Grade Corporate Bond (LQD), PowerShares DB Agriculture (DBA), and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). Additionally, Astor uses inverse ETFs, such as Short S&P 500 ProShares (SH), Direxion Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS), and UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury ProShares (TBT) to hedge exposure during adverse market conditions.
“Although we do not like to highlight performance in any one year because we believe that is not productive or even relevant to our goals, we are honored to be among the top performing programs featured by Forbes.com,” stated Rob Stein, managing partner of Astor Asset Management and senior portfolio manager of the Long Short Balance Program.
Stein began his career as a project analyst for the Federal Reserve during the Volcker chairmanship, and later worked on Wall Street before starting his own firm. He is the author of three books: Inside Greenspan’s Briefcase, Active Management, and, most recently, The Bull Inside the Bear (Wiley, 2009). In 2003, he was named one of the “best unknown managers” by BusinessWeek magazine for identifying the recession and structuring portfolios using ETFs to benefit during that recession. Stein used the same tools to help avoid much of the market turmoil during 2008.
Astor Asset Management takes an active management approach using economic data to determine the cycles of expansion, peak, contraction, and trough, which the firm believes is one of the most productive ways to create a portfolio for long-term appreciation with limited draw-downs and controlled losses. Among the economic data closely followed by the firm are employment trends. Stein noted that one of the reasons Astor became defensive in early 2008 was the decline in payroll numbers—which was the same reason it took a defensive position in 2000.
In 2009, Astor will focus on those sectors in which job losses appear to have abated and sectors that are beginning to show signs of expansion. Stein specifically mentioned semiconductors [Semiconductor Holders (SMH)] and retail [SPDR S&P Retail (XRT)], with early signs of potential in financials [Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF)] for more risk-tolerant investors. Stein added that the technology sector would most likely outperform this year with positive annual returns.
ABOUT ASTOR:
Astor Asset Management is an SEC Chicago based registered investment advisor. Astor offers separate managed account programs primarily using ETF’s (exchange traded funds). Astor employs an active managed approach using fundamental data to make investment decisions. Astor’s portfolios are available through advisors on platforms including Wachovia, TD Ameritrade, Fidelity, RBC, and UBS, to name a few. More information visit www.astorassetmanagement.com.
About Robert Stein:
Rob Stein is Managing Partner of Astor Asset Management and Senior Editor and ETF Strategist for ETFPort.com. He is the author of several books, including The Bull Inside the Bear: Finding New Investment Opportunities in Today’s Fast-Changing Financial Markets (John Wiley & Sons). Mr. Stein began his career as a project ana¬lyst for the Federal Reserve. He has held senior trading or portfolio management positions with major money center banks. In 1994, he formed Astor Financial, LLC, and later formed Astor Asset Management, LLC. For more information please visit www.astorllc.com
Astor’s program began trading in 2001 and has averaged over 6.5% a year since inception with only one down year. Astor uses a fundamental model to determine the direction of the economic cycles for multiple non-correlating assets and uses Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s) to construct diversified, non-correlating portfolios including: S&P 500 Trust (SPY), PowerShares QQQQ Trust (QQQQ), iShares iBoxx Investment Grade Corporate Bond (LQD), PowerShares DB Agriculture (DBA), and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). Additionally, Astor uses inverse ETFs, such as Short S&P 500 ProShares (SH), Direxion Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS), and UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury ProShares (TBT) to hedge exposure during adverse market conditions.
“Although we do not like to highlight performance in any one year because we believe that is not productive or even relevant to our goals, we are honored to be among the top performing programs featured by Forbes.com,” stated Rob Stein, managing partner of Astor Asset Management and senior portfolio manager of the Long Short Balance Program.
Stein began his career as a project analyst for the Federal Reserve during the Volcker chairmanship, and later worked on Wall Street before starting his own firm. He is the author of three books: Inside Greenspan’s Briefcase, Active Management, and, most recently, The Bull Inside the Bear (Wiley, 2009). In 2003, he was named one of the “best unknown managers” by BusinessWeek magazine for identifying the recession and structuring portfolios using ETFs to benefit during that recession. Stein used the same tools to help avoid much of the market turmoil during 2008.
Astor Asset Management takes an active management approach using economic data to determine the cycles of expansion, peak, contraction, and trough, which the firm believes is one of the most productive ways to create a portfolio for long-term appreciation with limited draw-downs and controlled losses. Among the economic data closely followed by the firm are employment trends. Stein noted that one of the reasons Astor became defensive in early 2008 was the decline in payroll numbers—which was the same reason it took a defensive position in 2000.
In 2009, Astor will focus on those sectors in which job losses appear to have abated and sectors that are beginning to show signs of expansion. Stein specifically mentioned semiconductors [Semiconductor Holders (SMH)] and retail [SPDR S&P Retail (XRT)], with early signs of potential in financials [Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF)] for more risk-tolerant investors. Stein added that the technology sector would most likely outperform this year with positive annual returns.
ABOUT ASTOR:
Astor Asset Management is an SEC Chicago based registered investment advisor. Astor offers separate managed account programs primarily using ETF’s (exchange traded funds). Astor employs an active managed approach using fundamental data to make investment decisions. Astor’s portfolios are available through advisors on platforms including Wachovia, TD Ameritrade, Fidelity, RBC, and UBS, to name a few. More information visit www.astorassetmanagement.com.
About Robert Stein:
Rob Stein is Managing Partner of Astor Asset Management and Senior Editor and ETF Strategist for ETFPort.com. He is the author of several books, including The Bull Inside the Bear: Finding New Investment Opportunities in Today’s Fast-Changing Financial Markets (John Wiley & Sons). Mr. Stein began his career as a project ana¬lyst for the Federal Reserve. He has held senior trading or portfolio management positions with major money center banks. In 1994, he formed Astor Financial, LLC, and later formed Astor Asset Management, LLC. For more information please visit www.astorllc.com
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