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S&P 500® Risk Control Indices

Overview Index News

The S&P 500® Risk Control 10% Indices offer investors greater stability and a reduction in the overall risk level of the S&P 500, widely regarded as the best single gauge of the U.S. equities market. By integrating a volatility control within the index rules, Standard & Poor’s provides a new level of innovation for investors looking to gain exposure to the U.S. equity markets while limiting their risk. Currently, S&P Indices offers four risk controlled versions of the S&P 500.

The S&P 500 Risk Control Indices utilize the existing S&P 500 methodology, plus an overlying mathematical algorithm designed to control the level of risk of the index by establishing a specific volatility target and dynamically adjusting the exposure to the S&P 500 based on its observed historic volatility.

S&P 500 Risk Control Indices include:

  • S&P 500 Risk Control 10% Index
  • S&P 500 Daily Risk Control 5% Index
  • S&P 500 Daily Risk Control 15% Index
  • S&P 500 Monthly Risk Control 12% Index

    Index NameIndex VersionRisk Control LevelMaximum LeverageInterest RateVolatility CalculationDecay Factor Short-Term VolatilityDecay Factor Long-Term VolatilityRebalance Frequency
    S&P 500 Daily Risk Control 5% IndexThe S&P 500 Daily Risk Control 5% Index represents a portfolio consisting of the S&P 500 Index and a cash component accruing interest based on LIBOR. The index is dynamically adjusted to target a 5% level of volatility. Volatility is calculated as a function of historical returns that uses exponential weightings to give more significance to recent observations.  In addition, a short and long term measure of volatility are used to cause the index to deleverage quickly, but increase exposure more gradually on a relative basis. The index rebalances daily.
     Total Return5%150%LIBORExponentially weighted94%97%Daily
    S&P 500 Daily Risk Control 10% IndexThe S&P 500 Risk Control 10% Index represents a portfolio consisting of the S&P 500 Index and a cash component accruing interest based on LIBOR. The index is dynamically adjusted to target a 10% level of volatility. Volatility is calculated as a function of historical returns that uses exponential weightings to give more significance to recent observations. In addition, a short and long term measure of volatility are used to cause the index to deleverage quickly, but increase exposure more gradually on a relative basis. The index rebalances daily.GICS® Map Effective August 29, 2008.
     Total Return10%150%Overnight LIBORExponentially weighted94%97%Daily
    S&P 500 Monthly Risk Control 12% IndexThe S&P 500 Monthly Risk Control 12% Index represents a portfolio consisting of the S&P 500 Index and a cash component accruing interest based on the Federal Funds Rate. The index is dynamically adjusted to target a 12% level of volatility. Volatility is calculated as a function of historical returns based on a simple daily moving average.  In addition, a short and long term measure of volatility are used to cause the index to deleverage quickly, but increase exposure more gradually on a relative basis. The index rebalances monthly.
     Total Return12%150%Federal FundsMaximun (20 day, 100 day) Moving Avg.20 days100 daysMonthly aligned with option expiry (3rd Friday each month)
    S&P 500 Daily Risk Control 15% IndexThe S&P 500 Daily Risk Control 15% Index represents a portfolio consisting of the S&P 500 Index and a cash component accruing interest based on LIBOR. The index is dynamically adjusted to target a 15% level of volatility. Volatility is calculated as a function of historical returns that uses exponential weightings to give more significance to recent observations.  In addition, a short and long term measure of volatility are used to cause the index to deleverage quickly, but increase exposure more gradually on a relative basis. The index rebalances daily
     Total Return15%150%LIBORExponentially weighted94%97%Daily

    Index Governance and Policy
    This index is maintained by the S&P Index Committee, whose members include Standard & Poor’s economists and index analysts. It follows a set of published rules and policies that provide the transparent methodology used to maintain the index.

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