The Defensive Asset Class

Abstract

In the United States, pension plan sponsors generally allocate assets according to category, to include “alternative investments” as a separate asset class. The authors suggest that alternative investments represent a miscellaneous categorization rather than an asset class. Rather, six types of alternative investments, aggregated, form a unique asset class called the defensive asset class. These assets show a pronounced tendency to rise when the equity markets are in periods of inordinate stress-and when diversification is most needed. The authors recommend an allocation of 20% of assets to the defensive asset class to ensure true diversification in all environments.