Stoyan Bojinov: Exchange-traded products have become the preferred instrument for many investors looking to add core, as well as tactical, commodities exposure to their portfolios. The “toolbox” continues to expand as investors have multiple options available to them, with some funds focusing in on a specific commodity, while others offer broad-based exposure. One of the oldest commodity-basket ETPs on the market is the iPath S&P GSCI Total Return Index ETN (NYSEARCA:GSP), which has accumulated a little over $100 million since its launch in mid-2006 [also see 50 Free Web Resources For Commodity Investors].

GSP is similar to other broad commodity ETPs in many ways, however, its product structure and portfolio composition results in a unique risk/return profile that may attract some investors, while potentially turning away others.

Vital Stats

Here’s a quick overview of the basics of GSP:

• Issuer: Barclays iPath
• Index: S&P GSCI Total Return Index
• Number of Commodities: 24
• Largest Allocation: Crude Oil (32.7%)
• Inception Date: June 6, 2006
• Expense Ratio: 0.75%
• Assets: $100 million (as of 11/29/2011)
• Structure: Exchange-Traded Note

Under The Hood

GSP seeks to replicate the S&P GSCI Total Return Index, offering exposure to 10 different commodity futures contracts. The index breakdown by commodity family is presented in the following table (as of 10/31/2011) :

GSP features allocations across all of the major segments of the commodity market, including exposure to energy, precious metals, agriculture, industrial metals, and livestock. However, GSP’s underlying portfolio is far from balanced; this ETN is heavily tilted towards energy commodities, which account for over two thirds of total assets [see Crude Oil Guide: Brent Vs. WTI, What's The Difference?].

Noteworthy Features

Besides the hefty allocations to energy commodities, there are a few other aspects of GSG that are noteworthy. For starters, GSP is linked to the same index as GSG, however, its ETN product structure potentially makes it more appealing than its counterpart [see Commodity ETF Spotlight: GSG In Focus]. While GSP is subject to the credit risk of the issuing institution since it is a senior debt instrument, its product structure still boasts several advantages over comparable ETFs. Unlike funds that trade futures contracts such as GSG and the ultra-popular DBC, commodity ETNs  will not require investors to fill out a K-1 at the end of the year.  That means that there is no annual mark-to-market that spurs a taxable  event, and shareholders of GSP have to record a loss or gain only upon  sale, unlike shareholders of GSG and DBC who have to do so annually.

This advantageous feature gives investors more control over their tax  liabilities, making the ETN product structure optimal for investors looking to add commodity exposure to their long-term, buy-and-hold portfolios. Investors should note that GSP is subject to contango, seeing as how there is no clear cut methodology outlined for the maturity dates used, unlike the one-of-a-kind USCI [see Commodity ETF Spotlight: USCI In Focus].

How To Use

GSP is an intriguing product that bears favorable tax treatment and may be appropriate for some investors in certain circumstances, although this ETN has a host of drawbacks that make it less than ideal as a well-diversified, core holding for long-term portfolios. When considering its underling portfolio, GSP may very well appeal to investors who are bullish on the energy sector. This ETN could be used as a tactical tool for investors who are bullish on energy prices but don’t necessarily want to go “all  in” so to speak; in which case  the minimal exposure to agricultural and  industrial metals can serve as  a nice cushion to smooth out the inherent  volatility prominent across  the energy commodities [see also Dividend Special: Four Commodity Stocks Yielding Over 5%].

Written By Stoyan Bojinov From CommodityHQ Disclosure: No positions at time of writing.

CommodityHQ offers educational content, analysis, and commentary on global commodity markets. Whether you’re looking to speculate on a short-term jump in crude or establish a long-term allocation to natural resources, CommodityHQ has the information you need.

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