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Geopolitical Risk Keeps Investors on Edge
ETFS Multi-Asset Weekly Geopolitical Risk Keeps Investors on Edge
Can oil’s rebound be sustained without geopolitical risk?
Goldminers outperform as investors await US earnings.
USD pares losses ahead of jobs data.
Geopolitical risk has again hit the headlines, after Saudi Arabia launched air strikes on Yemen, prompting investors to seek defensive portfolio hedges. Oil and gold have staged solid rallies, while rising volatility has left investors concerned over the sustainability of equity market gains. Investors will have one eye on the US earnings reports scheduled to begin this week, with the USD strength potentially posing a threat to corporate bottom lines. The other will be monitoring global developments including whether or not Greece can submit an agreeable set of reforms for creditors, while balancing its own citizens’ expectations.
Commodities
Can oil’s rebound be sustained without geopolitical risk? The rebel fighting in Yemen that drove a Saudi Arabian led Coalition to launch military action boosted WTI crude prices over 10% last week to their highest level in three weeks. However, if the action is able to quell the violent rebel uprising, we expect some near-term weakness as the market refocuses on abundant supply. We expect a bottoming process has begun in oil and medium term strength is likely. Elsewhere in the commodity complex, rising geopolitical risk also boosted precious metals prices, with silver being the largest beneficiary of the flight to defensive assets by investors. The rising risk environment will add to the current low/negative rate environment in enhancing the appeal of precious metals. The release of the WASDE crop conditions report is a key highlight for the agricultural sector this week. The report will give insight into the planting intentions of US farmers for grain crops and the health of the winter wheat crop, allowing investors to gauge the supply side strength compared to the record 2014 crop.
Equities
Goldminers outperform as investors await US earnings. While most major equity indexes struggled to make headway against rising volatility on the back of geopolitical concerns, goldmining companies remain an investor favourite. The DAXGlobal Gold Miners index continued to stage a rally, in line the rally of gold and has risen by nearly 12% over the past three months. Meanwhile investors continue to push Chinese equity valuations higher, seemingly more comfortable with a stabilising growth outlook, despite a weakening in the manufacturing indicators last week. The MSCI China A Index ended the week up nearly 3% at an all-time high. The focus for investors this week will be the beginning of the corporate earnings season in the US. With equity valuations retreating from recent record highs, investors will be looking for evidence of a softening in results and the impact of the stronger USD. If these conditions are realised we could see a pullback in equity performance.
Currencies
USD pares losses ahead of jobs data. Fed chair Yellen’s speech last week highlighted the gradual nature of the tightening cycle when it begins later in 2015. Nonetheless, the USD has taken back some of its recent losses despite weaker data and investors are looking ahead to jobs numbers which have been the one area of strength for the US. Certainly inflation is non-existent, and has reached zero not just in the US, but also for the first time in the UK. While revised Q4 GDP is expected to moderate, European investors will be more interested in the Eurozone CPI and unemployment readings, which are likely to reveal that the ECB still has much to do to help boost inflationary pressures via strengthening demand.
Important Information
This communication has been issued and approved for the purpose of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (”ETFS UK”) which is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (”FCA”).
Please find below Hashdex monthly crypto market update and performance attribution for Hashdex Crypto-Index ETPs for October 2024.
With October often showing strong seasonality for crypto assets, this month’s results reflect a promising trend for Bitcoin, although gains were more limited across Altcoins. As outlined in our latest CIO note, “Beyond Trump and Harris: Five Congressional Races That May Impact Crypto’s Future”, several upcoming US congressional races could shape the regulatory landscape for crypto, with potential implications for institutional adoption and future price action. Bipartisan support for the asset class is expected to grow, depending on the results of key races.
We will share some updates during the week, if you need any inputs on US elections, feel free to reach out to us.
Hashdex Crypto Index ETPs: performances (USD) as of end of October 24
• Beta Index ETP – Nasdaq Crypto Index ETP (HASH or HDX1) (largest Crypto Index ETP in Europe): October +7.1%, YTD +45%, 12M +89%.
• Smart-Beta Index ETP – Crypto Momentum Index ETP (HAMO or HDXM): October -0.5%, YTD +1.2%, 12M +71%.
Market Update – October 24
October, commonly known as ”Uptober” for its seasonally strong performance for Bitcoin, continued this trend in 2024. The month began with a volatile period, as the Nasdaq Crypto Index (NCI) initially gave back gains from September. All NCI constituents declined in the first ten days, with the exception of Uniswap, which announced plans for its own layer-two network on Ethereum.
Mid-month, the sentiment shifted, with a sharp rally that drove Bitcoin close to its all-time high by the 29th. The NCI ultimately closed the month up 7.1%, significantly outpacing traditional markets as both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 declined slightly. This rally coincided with a sharp increase in former president Donald Trump’s odds in election betting markets, generating additional optimism around Bitcoin.
While Bitcoin posted a robust 10.6% gain, Altcoins generally underperformed. The notable positive exception among altcoins was Solana, which rose 9.0%. In contrast, Ripple declined 18.6% due to ongoing SEC litigation, and Polygon’s MATIC dropped over 20% as it migrated to a new token model (POL).
Nasdaq Crypto Index (NCI) relative to other asset class in October 24
Source: Hashdex, as of 30/10/24.
In comparison with traditional assets, the NCI’s 7.1% gain far outpaced the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100, both of which posted slight declines. This performance underscores the potential for crypto assets to provide upside during periods of broader market uncertainty. The majority of this outperformance was driven by Bitcoin’s strength, underscoring its role as a cornerstone of the crypto asset class and its growing appeal as a macroeconomic hedge.
Performance attribution:
Nasdaq Crypto Index (NCI)
The NCI recorded positive returns for most of its primary constituents, with Bitcoin (+10.6%) leading the gains. Solana (SOL) also contributed positively, rising 9.0%. However, Ripple (XRP) and Polygon’s MATIC weighed on the index, with losses of 18.6% and over 20%, respectively. Ripple’s decline was largely attributed to ongoing legal issues with the SEC, while MATIC’s transition to the POL token created additional downward pressure.
Source: Hashdex, as of 31/10/24.
Crypto Momentum Factor Index
The Crypto Momentum Factor Index showed a slight monthly decline of 0.5% in October, reflecting the underperformance of altcoins in general. Although Tron (TRX) remained relatively stable, other altcoins in the index faced headwinds, leading to a small monthly loss for the index.
Source: Hashdex, as of 31/10/24.
Correlation (3m) to traditional asset classes
Source: Hashdex, as of 31/10/24. NCI for Nasdaq Crypto Index.
Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index ETP
Largest Crypto Index ETP in Europe, AUM ~$400m
ISIN: CH1184151731 / Tickers: HASH (SIX and Euronext) or HDX1 (Xetra) – tradable in USD, EUR, CHF and GBP
Hashdex Crypto Momentum Factor ETP
ISIN: CH1218734544 / Tickers: HAMO (SIX and Euronext) or HDXM (Xetra) – tradable in USD, EUR, CHF and GBP
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Microsoft considers bitcoin, UBS launches tokenized fund, and MicroStrategy will buy $42B in BTC
Crypto markets faced a volatile week as key macroeconomic events approached, with the upcoming US presidential election and anticipated Fed rate decision fueling uncertainty in risk assets. Bitcoin (BTC) rose 1.7%, ether (ETH) declined 1%, Solana (SOL) fell 8.2%, and the Nasdaq Crypto IndexTM (NCITM) was down 0.5%.
Microsoft to consider bitcoin investment starting December
According to a new SEC filing, Microsoft is considering the possibility of investing in Bitcoin as a hedge strategy against inflation despite opposition from its Board of Directors. This move, by one of the world’s largest companies, would mark a significant step in institutional adoption for Bitcoin.
MicroStrategy discloses plans to buy $42B of BTC
The firm announced bold plans to raise $42 billion over the next three years to acquire more bitcoin. This new wave of capital will be split equally, with $21 billion from equity issuance and $21 billion from debt offerings, in a project called the ”21/21” plan. This move, led by founder Michael Saylor, underscores bitcoin’s potential as a valuable hedge against inflation and highlights its appeal as a strategic investment option.
UBS launches its first tokenized fund on Ethereum
UBS Asset Management has launched its first tokenized fund, the USD Money Market Investment Fund Token (uMINT), a money market fund built on the Ethereum blockchain, available through authorized partners. The launch supports the growing demand for tokenized financial assets and leverages distributed technology to enhance fund issuance and distribution, as well as UBS’s broader strategy to expand its tokenization services.
Oct. 24 crypto market update & Performance attribution Hashdex Crypto Index ETPs
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