Noisiness in Factor Data and the Future of Factor Investing

This chapter discusses the issue of noisiness in factor data and the impact of decisions on factor analysis. It emphasizes the need for caution when interpreting data and reminds listeners that factors are not infallible. The chapter also explores the future of factor investing, highlighting its potential for improvement but also periods of underperformance.

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Are you ready for a deep dive into quantitative investing, the private credit trend, and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)? Then this episode is for you! Joining us today is Robin Wigglesworth, The Financial Times’ global finance correspondent, and author of Trillions: How a Band of Wall Street Renegades Invented the Index Fund and Changed Finance Forever, a groundbreaking book about the past, present, and future of passive investing. We talk with Robin about quantitative investing and the ideas he lays out in his article ‘A Quant Winter’s Tale’, before hearing his insights on the private credit trend and his intriguing new book titled Bonds, all about the history of the bond market. Today’s episode also features our Mark to Market segment, where Mark McGrath joins us to talk about the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), providing a comprehensive overview of its inner workings, his response to the criticisms levelled against it, and why he believes it’s of huge benefit to a great many Canadians. Next, we take a look back at our conversation with Alexandra Macqueen on annuities before sharing our thoughts on its relevance to today’s discussion and why it’s worth revisiting. Be sure to stay tuned for our after-show segment where we share our book, blog, and viewing recommendations, plus our favourite reviews, followed by a sneak peek of some of the exciting guests we have coming up. Press play now for a deep dive into quant investing, the hype around private credit, saving for retirement, and a whole lot more!

Key Points From This Episode:

An introduction to today’s guest, Robin Wigglesworth, followed by his breakdown of quantitative investing. (0:04:05)
Theories on what happened to factor investing between 2018 and 2020; what is meant by the quant winter and why we are now in a quant summer. (0:09:59)
How investor sentiment regarding factor investing changed after the quant winter and how the algorithm aversion phenomenon impacted it. (0:15:13)
The collapse of value; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (plus its role in the quant winter), and where we are right now. (0:20:14)
An overview of quant investing products, and why many of them are too expensive. (0:23:24)
Breaking down the noisy-ness in factor data and Robin’s predictions for where factor investing will go from here. (0:25:51)
Unpacking the hype around private credit: indications that it’s in a bubble, how it could impact broader trends, and who stands to benefit most. (0:36:36)
We hear about the fascinating book that Robin is currently working on about the history of the bond market. (0:40:22)
Our Mark to Market segment on the complicated (and divisive) Canada Pension Plan (CPP); how it works, its profound benefits, and responding to the criticism it has received. (0:41:50)
A look back at our conversation with Alexandra Macqueen on annuities and how it links in with today’s discussion. (01:01:31)
Our after-show section: an update on the Money Scope Podcast, reading recommendations, reviews from our listeners, and some of the incredible guests we have coming up! (01:04:33)