Momentum Trading

Introduction
The purpose of this 3-part series of articles is to provide information about the potential benefits of momentum investing. In this series, I will try and explain what momentum is, the potential returns available to momentum investors, and the way that Porter Capital combine mechanical, rules-based strategies with the momentum effect to deliver benefits to investors.

The ‘premier’ anomaly
Since its initial discovery by DeBondt & Thaler in 1985[1], the momentum effect has been documented and researched in many markets worldwide.

Many traders and investors would know of the academic notion of the ‘efficient’ market, and the implication that this efficiency has on the ability of investors and traders to earn profits.

What you may not be aware of is that the father of the ‘efficient market hypothesis’, Eugene Fama, refers to momentum as “the premier unexplained anomaly”[2]. In other words, the success of momentum based investing is regarded by many as an exception to the efficient market hypothesis.

What is it?
In its simplest terms, momentum refers to buying stocks which exhibit past over-performance. Research shows that stocks which have exhibited strong performance over some defined historical period, have a tendency to continue to exhibit strong performance for some number of future periods. It means that investors can potentially hitch a ride on strong momentum stocks. In part 2 of this series, I will use simulations to explore the potential risks and rewards of the momentum approach.

A Typical Momentum Trade
The typical momentum trade has a history of clearly defined direction and strength. Figure 1 shows a chart of price activity for ALL (Aristocrat Leisure), from August 2004 to April 2005. During late August 2004, there is a clear price breakout on very heavy volume. This marks the start of the momentum opportunity. Over the next few months, the price activity demonstrates clearly defined direction.

Is it credible?
The momentum effect has been widely researched and documented in both the international and Australian equity markets. For example, Rouwenhorst[3] tested momentum strategies in 12 European markets using data from 1980 to 1995, and found that momentum returns were present in every country, and their effects lasted for approximately one year. Griffin et al.[4] found support for the profitability of momentum investing in over 40 countries, and concluded ‘Globally, momentum profits are large and statistically reliable in periods of both negative and positive economic growth’.

Momentum has been thoroughly researched in virtually all of the worlds equity markets. Momentum effects have also been documented in other asset classes, such as foreign currencies[5], commodities[6] and real estate[7].

It is fair to say that the momentum effect appears to be one of the most beneficial effects for investors. Thorough research appears to indicate that momentum based investment does not increase investment risk, and that momentum effects are present during both economically good and bad cycles.

When does it work best?
Like all investment approaches, momentum investing is subject to the vagaries of the investor. For many investors, poor returns are not so much a function of their investment strategy, but of their own implementation of that strategy.

All investment strategies benefit from the increased discipline and accountability that mechanical, rule-based trading brings, particularly during difficult investment cycles. I will discuss this topic in more detail in the third part of this momentum series.