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  1. Index Insights
  2. Research Spotlight: High-Yield Performance, Part 3
Index Insights
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Research Spotlight: High-Yield Performance, Part 3

Maria HalmoAug 28, 2014
2014-08-28

Please see Part 1 and Part 2 for an introduction to the study as well as an examination of price performance.

Examining Performance from a Total Return Perspective

For the purposes of this study, the comparison between each basket’s total return and the AMZEX (the total return version of the AMZE) is not quite apples to oranges—think of it like a Granny Smith to Gala apple comparison. Total return for each basket is approximated by adding the distributions paid throughout the year to the final price at year end. Said otherwise, distributions are reinvested annually, after being held as cash throughout the year. However, the AMZEX has distributions reinvested immediately on ex-distribution dates. With distributions reinvested in a rising market, the returns listed for the index will be a little sweeter, a little juicer.

2014.08.29 Research Spotlight - Part 3 - Annual TR

Looking at the performance from a total return perspective, we can see the effect of the risk of owning the highest-yielding names (Basket 1): namely, investors are taking on significant risk and sometimes the highest yields are signs of impending instability or low or no distribution growth, not success.


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2014.08.29 Research Spotlight - Part 3 - Value of

Compared to the simple price return chart, however, Basket 1’s performance pulls ahead of Basket 3, showing the reward potential of higher distributions. Basket 2, which is the second-highest quintile on a yield basis, outperforms even more dramatically. The outperformance is most notable during the recovery years of 2009 and 2010. Basket 4, the second-most conservative quintile, outperforms during years of steady growth. The lower yield can imply a lower cost of equity, which makes growth less expensive.

2014.08.29 Research Spotlight - Part 3 - Annual TR

Interestingly, during the financial crisis in 2007-2008, Basket 5, containing what some consider to be the high-growth names, fell the most. Basket 5 lost 62% on a total return basis, compared to losses in the 30%-45% range for the other baskets. And despite being the best-performing basket during the four-year 2010-2013 period, Basket 5 failed to catch up to the other baskets and the AMZE. Again, investors in Basket 2 were rewarded for taking on additional risk without swinging for the fences.

2014.08.29 Research Spotlight - Part 3 - Value of

In short, those MLPs with the highest yields will occasionally outperform, however, our data shows that they’ll more often underperform with added volatility. In fact, it is the MLPs with lower (but not the lowest yields) as well and those MLPs with higher (but not the highest) yields that outperform the index over the long term and for which investors are best paid for the amount of risk taken.

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