iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF

DBMF

Market cap $3.35B

The S&P 500 has shed roughly its worst drawdown in the past 12 months during the early months of 2026, as tariff escalation and macro uncertainty rattled equity markets.

An increase in market volatility is driving ETF innovation around packaging ever-more complex strategies into single instruments. One example is the growth of strategies like managed futures.

In my equity watchlist there will not be only the USA, I will closely follow global markets, especially factor strategies. In the bond segment, I really appreciate active management; I think passive ones will remain poorly able to capture the evolutions of 2026. Among the segments with alpha potential, I identify the small cap value segment due to lower valuations and better earnings expectations.

The iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF has delivered nearly 10% gains in two months, outperforming as a low-correlation portfolio diversifier. DBMF's strong 2025 performance can probably be best attributed to long positions in shorter-duration US government bonds. While DBMF isn't a perfect hedge, its uncorrelated returns make it a valuable component in a diversified, risk-adjusted portfolio strategy.

DBMF offers retail investors access to CTA-like strategies, aiming for low cost. While DBMF's returns lag world indices and classic 60-40 portfolios, its negative correlation might be the real added value. And this kind of hedging is built right into the trend-following strategies or derivatives of CTAs.

iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF offers diversified futures exposure with low correlation to stocks and bonds, making it a compelling alternative for portfolio risk reduction. Despite recent underperformance, DBMF provides a robust 5.6% yield on a TTM basis and competitive fees compared to peer managed futures strategies. The ETF's active management and liquidity allow for flexible positioning, but investors should expect variable returns and distributions.

Investors should consider applying hedging techniques to their equity portfolio to reduce overall volatility.

Diversifying portfolios with hedging positions can better weather market disruptions compared to solely relying on equities. The iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF failed to provide expected support during recent market turmoil for reasons that I explore in this article. Investors should not rely on a single ETF for portfolio protection; combining VIXY, BTAL, and managed futures ETFs like DBMF offers more robust hedging.

Combining a managed futures fund with the S&P 500 and a treasury fund can yield superior risk-adjusted returns compared to a traditional 60/40 portfolio. The iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF aims to replicate the performance of leading managed futures hedge funds using a proprietary, quantitative model. DBMF's unique asset allocation process and historical performance make it a strong candidate for diversification, with low correlations to the S&P 500 and US treasuries.

ETFs expanded their market share in recent years by bringing mutual and hedge fund strategies to a wider variety of investors. Taking strategies previously locked behind high entry fees and significant management fees, ETFs work to broaden the investing playing field.