February 2021 Kettera Strategies Trend Analysis
In February, the commodities sector took the lead in the Systematic Trend category, with industrial metals and energies driving the charge. While precise sector returns for this time period are not readily available, historical data suggests that precious metals, energy, and industrial metals sectors often contribute significantly to commodity returns captured by trend-following or systematic trading models.
Many metals traders capitalized on the month, particularly those long in industrial metals markets like copper. The energy sector also performed well, with traders benefiting from long exposures to crude and refined products markets.
The commodities sector's strong performance was not limited to February 2021. In fact, data from 2025 shows that precious metals, such as platinum, gold, silver, and palladium, were strong performers, with platinum showing gains near 50%. Energy commodities like crude oil, ultra-low sulfur diesel, and gasoline also posted significant volatility and gains, driven by geopolitical tensions and supply concerns.
In general, industrial metals like copper, aluminum, and zinc also showed strong gains alongside precious metals and energy commodities in 2025.
While the specific returns for Systematic Trend programs in February 2021 are not yet available, it is reasonable to infer that these sectors likely dominated trend program returns, given their historical performance in volatile or directional markets.
Event-driven managers, including merger arbitrage strategies, also had an outsized month in February, as did programs that capitalized on deal flow in the technology, financials, and health care sectors. The popularity of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) also contributed to strong performances among event-driven programs.
For those seeking precise sector returns for February 2021 Systematic Trend programs, consultation of specialized hedge fund performance databases or CTA (Commodity Trading Advisor) strategy reports would be necessary. General commodity return summaries do not isolate systematic trend-specific performance.
In conclusion, the commodities sector, particularly precious metals, energy, and industrial metals, often contributes significantly to the returns of trend-following or systematic trading models. While specific February 2021 sector rankings for Systematic Trend programs are not yet available, historical data suggests that these sectors likely dominated trend program returns.
- In 2025, the industrial metals sector, including copper, aluminum, and zinc, demonstrated strong gains, similar to precious metals and energy commodities, indicating a significant contribution to the returns of trend-following or systematic trading models.
- Event-driven managers that focused on the technology, financials, and health care sectors, including merger arbitrage strategies and programs that capitalized on the popularity of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs), reported an outsized performance in February, showing a diverse range of sectors driving returns in systematic trading models.
