Active management headwinds:

Similar documents
VIX to Fall; Stocks to Rise; Small to Outperform

Global Risk Monitor. Liquid Markets Analytics

Technical Analysis: Market Insight

Asia Equity Strategy Research Analysts Sakthi Siva

ETFs: Regulatory (High) Impact. Commerzbank, leaders in ETF February 2018

Canadian Equity Strategy

Columbia Threadneedle Investments Emerging Market Investor Sentiment Survey

How to Assess Real Exchange Rate Overvaluation

6,606,978, % 6,606,978, % 6,606,978, % % NAV % (4) Equity Derivatives Warrants, Rights & Subscriptions

July 2012 Chartbook The Halftime Report

Stock Market Briefing: Daily Global Indexes

GS Global ECS Credit Strategy Research. March 31, Alberto Gallo, CFA Goldman, Sachs & Co

Investment Theme 3Q18. Ageing Population. Source: AFP Photo

Revisiting Core Principles

Roger Yuan Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. (+852)

Revisiting Core Principles

Small Cap Allocation for Japanese Investors December 2007

Revisiting Core Principles

EQUITY RESEARCH. OSFI releases draft of revisions to B-20 mortgage guidelines. For Required Non-U.S. Analyst and Conflicts Disclosures, see page 3.

BTIG Technical Strategy Year-End Chart Book December 2014

Investment Style Guide

ETF Global Quant Equity 10

TSX COMPOSITE EARNINGS SCORECARD AGGREGATE EARNINGS AND REVENUE PERFORMANCE VS ESTIMATES

Revisiting Core Principles

TSX COMPOSITE EARNINGS SCORECARD AGGREGATE EARNINGS AND REVENUE PERFORMANCE VS ESTIMATES

CONSENSUS OPERATING EARNINGS for the S&P 500, MidCap 400 and SmallCap 600 Indices, as well as the Sectors in the S&P /02/18

Minimum Volatility Strategies at Times of High Volatility September 24, 2008

Stock Market Briefing: Daily Indexes

AGF Elements Balanced Portfolio

TSX COMPOSITE EARNINGS SCORECARD AGGREGATE EARNINGS AND REVENUE PERFORMANCE VS ESTIMATES

Chinese domestic iron ore

S&P 500 EARNINGS SCORECARD AGGREGATE EARNINGS AND REVENUE PERFORMANCE VS ESTIMATES

ETF Global Quant Equity 12

Revisiting Core Principles

Revisiting Core Principles

Analyst's Notes. Argus Recommendations

CLICK TO EDIT MASTER TITLE STYLE Market Perspective

Spread and Volatility April 2013

Revisiting Core Principles

Revisiting Core Principles

Market Maps. April 2016 Bob Dickey, Technical Analyst. RBC Capital Markets, LLC / Portfolio Advisory Group U.S. Equities.

AutoZone, Inc. EQUITY RESEARCH QUARTERLY UPDATE OUTPERFORM. Quick Read: Sales a Bit Soft, But Results Solid. September 22, 2016

Global Index Briefing: Japan Financials Sector MSCI

The Psychology of Investing

Additional series available. Morningstar TM Rating. Funds in category Equity style Market cap %

Global Index Briefing: Japan Information Technology Sector MSCI

US Economics. RBC Capital Markets, LLC Jacob Oubina Director, Senior US Economist (212) ; ECONOMICS I RESEARCH

PT Bukit Asam Tbk. Margin Expansion. BUY (TP: IDR 13,250) 23 October 2017

INDEX PERFORMANCE HISTORY MARKET CYCLE ANALYSIS*

Quantitative Easing and the Dollar-Yen Carry Trade

Market Maps. Bob Dickey, Technical Analyst. June 2016

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. Quick Read: Weather Likely Weighed Upon Sales a Bit

ABF Pan Asia Bond Index Fund (2821) An ETF listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong

Smart Beta Dashboard. Thoughts at a Glance. January By the SPDR Americas Research Team

Investment Style Guide

INDEX PERFORMANCE HISTORY MARKET CYCLE ANALYSIS*

Additional series available. Morningstar TM Rating. Funds in category. Equity style Market cap % Giant 71.7 Large 20.3 Medium 8.0 Small 0.0 Micro 0.

4th - Asian Fixed Income Summit Investing in Asia s Fixed Income Market

Economics. Uncertainty rules. Capital Nomura Securities Public Company Limited Investment Research and Investor Services

VIX ETPs, Inter-Relationships between Volatility Markets and Implications for Investors and Traders

RAFI Fundamental US Index

Citi High Yield (Treasury Rate-Hedged) Index

Additional series available. Morningstar TM Rating - Funds in category. Equity style Market cap %

PICC Group (1339 HK)

Manulife Financial Corp.

INDEX PERFORMANCE HISTORY MARKET CYCLE ANALYSIS*

INDEX PERFORMANCE HISTORY MARKET CYCLE ANALYSIS*

Smart Beta Dashboard. Thoughts at a Glance. March By the SPDR Americas Research Team

TSX COMPOSITE EARNINGS SCORECARD AGGREGATE EARNINGS AND REVENUE PERFORMANCE VS ESTIMATES

Opportunities in Turbulent Markets:

Spread and Volatility February 2013

Sector Methodology. Quality. Scale. Performance.

AMSTERDAM - NEW YORK - SINGAPORE - CLUJ

Morgan Stanley ETF-MAP 2 Index Information

2.5-Year Notes Linked to the BNP Paribas Multi Asset Diversified 5 Index

Global Index Briefing: Canada Energy Sector MSCI

Global Index Briefing: Canada Information Technology Sector MSCI

Citi Dynamic Asset Selector 5 Excess Return Index

Smart Beta Dashboard. Thoughts at a Glance. June By the SPDR Americas Research Team

Additional series available. Morningstar TM Rating. Funds in category. Equity style Market cap %

Seeking Diversification Through Emerging Markets July 2009

Global Index Briefing: United Kingdom Telecom Services Sector MSCI

Luk Fook (590 HK) Hold Target price: HK$ Downgrade to Hold on more challenging HK & Macau market outlook. Equity Research Consumer Discretionary

What s Ahead for the Markets and the Economy? Prof. Jeremy J. Siegel ~ The Wharton School WisdomTree Presentations ~ June 2012 Important Information

Global Index Briefing: Canada Consumer Discretionary Sector MSCI

Additional series available. Morningstar TM Rating. Funds in category 959. Equity style Market cap % Micro 0.0

HSBC Vantage5 Index Methodology Guide

INTRODUCING ESG INVESTING. msci.com

Earnings, Revenues, & Valuation: S&P 500/400/600

Discussion: The Microstructure of the TIPS Market paper by Michael J. Fleming & Neel Krishnan

Total

Investment Strategy: Strategic Themes and Tactical Positioning

Introduction to the KraneShares CICC China Leaders 100 Index ETF: A Smart Beta Approach to Investing in Mainland China s Top 100 Companies

WHY EQUITIES NOW? THINGS TO CONSIDER

Stock Trader: Budget Beneficiary Stock Larsen & Toubro

Canadian Strategy: A deeper dive into seasonality Sell in May and hold on a second

KPJ Healthcare KPJ MK

CIBC WM INCOME TRUST BENCHMARK INDEX METHODOLOGY

RAFI Fundamental Global Index

Additional series available. Morningstar TM Rating. Funds in category. Equity style Market cap %

Transcription:

QUANTITATIVE DESK STRATEGIES Active management headwinds: correlation and fund flows, quant vs. fundamental 1 October 211 Quantitative strategists Joseph J. Mezrich joseph.mezrich@nomura.com 1-212-667-9316 Yasushi Ishikawa yasushi.ishikawa@nomura.com 1-212-667-1562 Nomura Securities International, Inc. 2 World Financial Center, Building B New York, N.Y. 1281-1198 Fundamental funds had their worst two-month performance in a decade in August-September, while quant funds managed to stay relatively close to benchmark. The extremely high pair-wise correlation of stocks in the market poses a serious hurdle for fundamental fund managers. Stock correlation has been very high in the US and Europe markets compared to Asia and Japan, but in all four regions stock correlation has been on a long-term rising trend. Factor return correlation, which has more impact on quantitative fund performance than stock correlation does on fundamental fund performance, has remained relatively more subdued in the US market, but has been rising sharply in Europe and Japan. The long-term trend towards high stock correlation is likely related to the movement of funds away from active management and into passive management, especially the increased role of ETFs. The current extreme correlation should at some point decline, but the generally low levels of stock correlation we have seen historically may be a thing of the past. Global equities trend passive funds (ETFs) grow, while active funds shrink Developed market-equity fund flow: active vs. passive 6 4 2-2 -4-6 -8 Apr-3 Oct-3 Apr-4 Oct-4 Apr-5 Oct-5 Apr-6 Oct-6 Apr-7 Oct-7 Apr-8 Oct-8 Apr-9 Oct-9 Apr-1 Oct-1 Apr-11 Cumulative fund flow (billion $) Developed market-equity funds Active funds Passive funds ETFs Note: Shows cumulative fund flow into developed market-equity funds, active funds, passive funds and ETFs. Period of analysis is from April 23 through August 211. Source: Nomura Securities International, Inc, EPFR. This commentary has been prepared by a Nomura equities desk strategist and is NOT a product of the Research Department. For additional information concerning the role of trading desk strategists, please see the important conflicts disclosures on page 7 of this report. 1

In August-September, fundamental funds had their worst two-month underperformance in at least 1 years Active management headwinds: correlations and fund flows, quant vs. fundamental The visible drama for at least the last few months has been about the fate of the market. Less visible, but perhaps more dramatic, has been the fate of active fund managers, whose job is to outperform the market. The latest update of our index of US core fundamental and quant long-only funds benchmarked to either the S&P5 or Russell 1 index shows the damage to fundamental managers. The top panel in Exhibit 1 shows two-month rolling excess returns of fundamental core funds and quantitative core funds since 23, while the bottom panel shows their cumulative excess return. Fund managers are paid to outperform, yet fundamental fund managers had their worst twomonth underperformance in at least a decade in August-September. 1. The vanishing alpha Two-month rolling excess return (%) 4 3 2 1-1 -2-3 Quant vs. Fundamental: Two-month rolling excess return Fundamental core funds Quant core funds Aug & Sep 211 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 Quant vs. Fundamental 8 Quant core funds Cumulative excess return (%) 6 4 2 Fundamental core funds Dec 21-188 bp in YTD +23 bp in YTD -2 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 Note: Shows two-month rolling and cumulative average excess return (relative to the benchmark) in long-only large-cap core funds based on quantitative methodologies (dark blue line) and long-only large-cap core funds based on fundamental methodologies (light blue line) from January 23 through 7 October 211. Currently there are 15 funds in the quant core universe and 45 funds in the fundamental core universe. Source: Nomura Securities International, Inc, S&P, Russell, Bloomberg. 2

Quant funds have been able to stay fairly close to the benchmark, and in October the headwinds for both quant and fundamental funds seem to have abated Quantitative managers, by contrast, have on average managed to stay fairly close to the benchmark since the end of July. The top panel of Exhibit 2 shows daily excess returns of quants and fundamental core funds since July 211, while the bottom panel shows their cumulative excess returns. The first half of August and late September severely damaged fundamental managers, but the headwinds so far seem to have abated in October. 2. Market since July has been tough for alpha Daily excess return (%).4.3.2.1 -.1 -.2 -.3 -.4 -.5 Since July 211 Quant core funds Fundamental core funds Cumulative daily excess return (%) 1-Aug 3-Aug 5-Aug 9-Aug 11-Aug 15-Aug 17-Aug 19-Aug 23-Aug 25-Aug 29-Aug 31-Aug 2-Sep 7-Sep 9-Sep 13-Sep 15-Sep 19-Sep 21-Sep 23-Sep 27-Sep 29-Sep 3-Oct 5-Oct 7-Oct.5 -.5-1 -1.5-2 -2.5 Since July 211 Quant core funds Fundamental core funds 29-Jul 2-Aug 4-Aug 8-Aug 1-Aug 12-Aug 16-Aug 18-Aug 22-Aug 24-Aug 26-Aug 3-Aug 1-Sep 6-Sep 8-Sep 12-Sep 14-Sep 16-Sep 2-Sep 22-Sep 26-Sep 28-Sep 3-Sep 4-Oct 6-Oct Note: Shows daily excess returns to the benchmark (top panel) and cumulative excess return of daily data (bottom panel) in long-only large-cap core funds based on quantitative methodologies (dark blue line) and long-only large-cap core funds based on fundamental methodologies (light blue line) from 1 August 211 through 7 October 211. Currently there are 15 funds in the quant core universe and 45 funds in the fundamental core universe. Source: Nomura Securities International, Inc, Russell, S&P, Bloomberg. 3

Extremely high pair-wise correlation of stocks has hurt fundamental funds more than quant funds stock correlation has recently declined in the US market but remains high in Europe We have previously pointed out that the extremely high pair-wise correlation of stocks at present poses a serious hurdle for US fundamental managers. Quantitative managers in the US have been less affected by this problem than fundamental managers, as factor-return correlation matters more to the decision-making process of quant managers, and factor-return correlation has been relatively low. Exhibit 3 shows 21-day stock correlation within sectors in the US, Europe, Japan and Asia (ex Japan). As we discussed in Global stock correlation puzzle in the West, opportunity in the East, 12 September 211, stock correlation in the West is higher than in the East (a recent development is that stock correlation has modestly declined in the US market from a record high, while stock correlation in Europe keeps rising). 3. Stock correlation around the globe the trend is not your friend.9.8.7.6 Black Monday US Yamaichi bankruptcy WorldCom Lehman bankrupcy Greek debt Now.9.8.7.6 Black Monday Gulf War Japan Political reform legistration Yamaichi bankruptcy Japan Lehman earthquake bankruptcy.5.4 Gulf War LTCM.5.4 Now.3.3.2.2.1.1.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1 1987 1988 1989 199 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 Europe.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1 Asia 1987 1988 1989 199 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 1987 1988 1989 199 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 1987 1988 1989 199 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 Black Monday Soviet coup Greek debt Now Lehman bankrupcy Interest-rate concern Black Monday Fall of Berlin Wall Asian financial crisis China inflation concern Lehman bankrupcy Now Note: Shows 21-day stock correlation within sector, where the averages of all pair-wise stock correlations are calculated using 21-day total returns within GICS 1 sectors in Russell 1 (US), MSCI Europe (Europe) and MSCI Asia Pacific ex Japan (Asia) and within QUICK 1 sectors in NOMURA 4 (Japan), and these correlations are averaged over all 1 sectors. Period of analysis is from 2 January 1987 through 7 October 211. Source: Nomura Securities International, Inc., Russell, MSCI, IDC, S&P, Exshare. 4

Regional differences in stock correlation and factor return correlation are important factor correlation has been rising recently in Japan and Europe; stock correlations have been on a long-term rising trend in all four regions over the past decade Not only are there regional differences in stock correlation around the globe, it turns out there are also regional differences in the contrast between stock correlation and factor return correlation, which means the fundamental vs. quant contrast in part depends on region (Exhibit 4). In the US, factor return correlation rose in September, but it is still lower than the level in the latest financial crisis. On the other hand, factor correlations in Europe and Japan have been increasing dramatically since summer. The increase is most notable in Europe, which has hit its highest correlations in a decade. A separate, troubling feature of stock correlation is the trend of increasing stock correlation over the past decade, especially in the US and in Europe. That feature is highlighted by the red trend lines in Exhibit 3. 4. Region matters - Stock correlation vs. factor return correlation around the globe 21-day stock correlation within sector.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1 US 21-day stock correlation within sectors 21-day factor correlation based on PCA 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Weight of the first principal component based on 21-day factor return (%) 21-day stock correlation within sector.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1 Japan 21-day stock correlation within sectors 21-day factor correlation based on PCA 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Weight of the first principal component based on 21-day factor return (%) 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 21-day stock correlation within sector.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1 Europe 21-day stock correlation within sectors 21-day factor correlation based on PCA 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Weight of the first principal component based on 21-day factor return (%) 21-day stock correlation within sector.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1 Asia 21-day stock correlation within sectors 21-day factor correlation based on PCA 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Weight of the first principal component based on 21-day factor return (%) 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 Note: Light blue line shows 21-day stock correlation within sector, where the averages of all pair-wise stock correlations are calculated within GICS 1 sectors in Russell 1 universe using 21-day total returns and these correlations are averaged over all GICS 1 sectors. Dark blue line shows weight of the first principal component based on 21-day correlation of daily factor returns applied to 22 representative factor returns. Universes are Russell 1 for the US, Nomura 4 for Japan, MSCI Europe for Europe, and MSCI Asia Pacific ex Japan for Asia. Period of analysis is from 1 January 23 through 7 October 211. Source: Nomura Securities International, Inc., Russell, MSCI, IDC, S&P, Compustat, Worldscope, I/B/E/S, Exshare. 5

The long-term trend towards high stock correlation is likely related to the movement of funds away from active management and into passive management, especially the increased role of ETFs. Current extreme correlation should at some point decline, but the generally low levels of stock correlation we have seen historically may be a thing of the past We relate the trend of increasing stock correlation to the trend of fund flows, which has increasingly seen a movement of funds away from active management and into passive management, evidenced by increasing investment in ETFs (Exhibits 5 and 6). The current extreme stock correlation in the West will at some point undoubtedly recede from record levels, but the generally low stock correlations of the past helpful for stock selection based on fundamentals may be a victim of recent trends in equity investing. 5. Source of correlation trend passive funds (ETFs) grow, while active funds shrink 35 US-equity fund flow: active vs. passive Cumulative fund flow (billion $) 25 15 5-5 -15-25 -35-45 -55-65 US-equity funds Active funds Passive funds ETFs Apr-3 Oct-3 Apr-4 Oct-4 Apr-5 Oct-5 Apr-6 Oct-6 Apr-7 Oct-7 Apr-8 Oct-8 Apr-9 Oct-9 Apr-1 Oct-1 Apr-11 Note: Shows cumulative fund flow into US-equity funds, active funds, passive funds and ETFs. Period of analysis is from April 23 through August 211. Source: Nomura Securities International, Inc, EPFR. 6. Global developed trend passive funds (ETFs) grow, while active funds shrink 6 Developed market-equity fund flow: active vs. passive Cumulative fund flow (billion $) 4 2-2 -4-6 -8 Apr-3 Oct-3 Apr-4 Oct-4 Apr-5 Oct-5 Apr-6 Oct-6 Apr-7 Oct-7 Apr-8 Oct-8 Apr-9 Oct-9 Apr-1 Oct-1 Apr-11 Developed market-equity funds Active funds Passive funds ETFs Note: Shows cumulative fund flow into developed market-equity funds, active funds, passive funds and ETFs. Period of analysis is from April 23 through August 211. Source: Nomura Securities International, Inc, EPFR. 6

Disclaimer Notice for Sales and Trading Communication This material has been prepared or distributed by individual sales or trading personnel of Nomura Securities International, Inc. ( Nomura or we ) and is not a product of a Nomura research department. This material is not investment research as defined by US rules and regulations, the applicable rules in Hong Kong, and the UK Financial Services Authority ( FSA ). It does not constitute a personal recommendation as defined by the FSA, or take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situations or needs of individual investors. This material does not fall within the definition of an analyst report as defined by the Japan Securities Dealer s Association. It is intended for professional and institutional investors only, and is not intended for retail clients. Any questions or issues you may have in regard to this material should be addressed with your local sales representative. This material is (1) for your information only; (2) not to be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security mentioned herein; and (3) based upon information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. Opinions expressed are current opinions as of the date appearing on this material only and the information, including the opinions contained herein, are subject to change without notice. Complete copies of any research report referenced, summarized or excerpted in this message and related disclosures are available on the Nomura Research website which can be accessed through the link below. These reports may contain dated information and are sent for historical purposes only. They should not be relied upon in substitution for the exercise of independent judgment, are intended for your use only and may not be transmitted to other parties. Nomura Research Website (http://www.nomura.com/research/) Nothing herein shall form the basis of or be relied on in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever. Neither Nomura nor any other person accepts any liability whatsoever for any loss (howsoever arising and whether direct or consequential) from any use of the information contained herein or otherwise arising in connection herewith. Derivative investments require investors to assess several characteristics and risk factors that may not be present in other types of transactions. You should consider the specific return and risk profile of a particular derivative investment before effecting, or agreeing to effect, any transaction. In reaching a determination as to the appropriateness of any proposed transaction, clients should undertake a thorough independent review of the legal, regulatory, credit, tax, accounting and economic consequences of such action. The information presented has been obtained from or based upon sources believed by the trader or sales person to be reliable, but none of Nomura or its employees, the trader or sales person represents or warrant its accuracy or completeness and is not responsible for losses or damages arising out of errors, omissions or changes in market factors. We do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. In compliance with Internal Revenue Service Circular 23, we hereby notify you that any discussion of tax matters set forth herein was written in connection with the promotion or marketing of the matters described herein and was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by any person, for the purposes of avoiding tax-related penalties under federal, state or local tax law. Each person should seek legal, accounting and tax advice based on its particular circumstances from independent advisors. Nomura and its affiliates may from time to time perform investment banking or other services (including acting as advisor, manager or lender) for or solicit investment banking or other business from, companies mentioned herein. Nomura and its affiliates may make a market or deal as principal in the securities mentioned in this document or in options, futures, or other derivatives based thereon. In addition, Nomura and its affiliates, shareholders, directors, officers and/or employees may from time to time have long or short positions in such securities or in options, futures, or other derivative instruments based thereon. This document is the sole proprietary material of Nomura and may not, in whole or in part, be (i) copied, photocopied, or duplicated in any form, by any means, or (ii) redistributed, posted, published, excerpted, or quoted without Nomura s prior express consent. Further information on any of the securities mentioned herein may be obtained upon request. If this publication has been distributed by electronic transmission, such as e-mail, then such transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this publication, which may arise as a result of electronic transmission. If verification is required, please request a hard-copy version. Nomura Securities International, Inc. is a registered broker-dealer in the United States and a member of FINRA (http://www.finra.org/index.htm), NYSE (http://www.nyse.com/) and SIPC (http://www.sipc.org/). Nomura Securities International, Inc. is affiliated with Nomura Holdings, Inc., a publicly-traded company, and its subsidiaries and branches worldwide. Nomura Securities International, Inc., 211. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use, duplication, transmission or disclosure of this document is prohibited by law and may result in prosecution. This commentary has been prepared by a Nomura Equities desk strategist and is NOT a product of the Research Department. 7

The MSCI sourced information is the exclusive property of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc.(MSCI). Without prior written permission of MSCI, this information and any other MSCI intellectual property may not be reproduced, re-disseminated or used to create any financial products, including any indices. This information is provided on an "as is" basis. The user assumes the entire risk of any use made of this information. MSCI, its affiliates and any third party involved in, or related to, computing or compiling the information hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of this information. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, any of its affiliates or any third party involved in, or related to, computing or compiling the information have any liability for any damages of any kind. MSCI, Morgan Stanley Capital International and the MSCI indexes are services marks of MSCI and its affiliates. 8