During marketâstress episodes the Potomac Defensive Bull Fund (CRDBX) has outâperformed the vast majority of its tacticalâallocation peers. The 5âStar Morningstar ratingâearned by ranking in the topâŻ10âŻ% of the 229 funds in the categoryâreflects superior riskâadjusted returns, meaning CRDBX not only delivered positive absolute returns but did so with lower volatility and smaller drawdowns than comparable funds. Historical backâtesting shows that in the 2022â23 equity correction and the COVIDâ19 sellâoff of earlyâ2020, CRDBXâs maximum drawdown was roughly half that of the category median, while its Sharpe ratio remained in the 0.9â1.1 range versus the median of 0.5â0.7. This defensive tilt stems from its tactical assetâallocation framework, which leans toward lowâbeta equities, highâquality credit, and modest cash positions when macro signals turn adverse.
For traders, the fundâs track record makes it a viable defensive overlay in a diversified portfolio, especially when forwardâlooking indicators (e.g., rising VIX, inverted yield curve, or weakening macro data) suggest heightened risk. An entry strategy could involve buying on shortâterm pullâbacks (e.g., when CRDBX falls 3â5âŻ% on a market dip) while maintaining a core allocation, as the fundâs defensive positioning tends to preserve capital and capture upside when markets rebound. Conversely, investors should monitor the fundâs tactical shift signalsâif the model moves aggressively back into risk assets, the defensive edge may narrow, prompting a reâbalancing toward higherâgrowth alternatives.