01 Nov 2020 5 min read

On the contrary: how unpopular trades can help

By John Roe

Recent events demonstrate the role of contrarian positions in portfolios.

 

investments-1140.jpg

Dramatic days in markets are great for doing live TV. Turbulence can rapidly change the market narrative, leaving the most popular trades exposed as investors rush to the exit.

Here’s an explanation of how taking contrarian positions can help, along with real-life current examples, from my recent appearance on Bloomberg.

John Roe

Head of Multi-Asset Funds

With failed football dreams behind him, John applies the same level of enthusiasm to investing and how to improve outcomes by battling behavioural biases. He leads on oil research, but also gets involved in a wide range of macro topics. That love of variety also explains his craft beer fascination. Hard to shut up, he’s a regular guest on Bloomberg, a conference speaker and an LGIM Director. His analytical thinking benefits from being an Actuary with an economics degree and having previously worked as a strategist at RBS.

John Roe