The Derivative

chevron_right

Beyond Buy and Hold: Q3 Asset Mgmt's Quantitative Approach to Tactical Investing with Bruce Greig & Brad Giaimo

whatshot 7 snips

Oct 2, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Brad Giaimo, a seasoned trading-floor expert and co-founder of Q3 Asset Management, and Bruce Greig, a quantitative portfolio manager with a solid math background, delve into tactical investing. They share insights from their unique paths, including Brad's time with Paul Tudor Jones and Bruce's shift to systematic strategies. Learn about Q3's innovative risk management techniques, their transparent model development, and how they challenge traditional buy-and-hold approaches. Plus, get a glimpse of their upcoming tactical ETFs!

01:09:47

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Trading Floor Apprenticeship

Brad describes starting as a runner on the commodity trading floor and working up to trade for Paul Tudor Jones.
He credits the floor and Tudor as his primary teachers and mentors for trading and risk management.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

From Bankruptcy Software To Quant Quant

Bruce recounts moving from bankruptcy software to automated trading and getting an MBA before joining RIAs.
He stresses that his math and statistics background led him to build and manage quantitative strategies at Q3.

insights

INSIGHT

Launch Once, Research Deeply

Q3 builds systematic, rules-based models that are carefully back-tested to avoid curve-fitting.
They launch models rarely tweak them, only after robust stress-testing across decades of data.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Brad's Trading Floor Origin Story

00:43 • 14min

chevron_right

Bruce's Path to Quantitative Investing

14:42 • 5min

chevron_right

Founding Q3 and Organic Growth

19:47 • 5min

chevron_right

Systematic Model Philosophy

24:34 • 1min

chevron_right

What 'Tactical' Means at Q3

26:01 • 2min

chevron_right

Why Not Just Buy and Hold

28:10 • 3min

chevron_right

Model Universes: Equities, Bonds, Alternatives

30:41 • 3min

chevron_right

Transparency, Client Communication, and Service

34:00 • 1min

chevron_right

Risk Controls and Diversification by Design

35:19 • 3min

chevron_right

Operational Scale: Managing Many SMA Models

38:12 • 38sec

chevron_right

Advisors, OCIO Role, and SMA Offerings

38:50 • 2min

chevron_right

Transitioning SMAs into Mutual Funds and ETFs

41:11 • 7min

chevron_right

QASOX Mean Reversion Fund Explained

47:53 • 3min

chevron_right

QAITX Trend-Following Fund Story

51:17 • 5min

chevron_right

QVOY Active Asset Allocation ETF

55:48 • 4min

chevron_right

New Tactical ETF and Leveraged NASDAQ Product

59:28 • 2min

chevron_right

Planned Tactical High Yield/Unconstrained Bond Fund

01:01:50 • 2min

chevron_right

Light Conversation: Detroit Movies and Sports

01:03:47 • 3min

chevron_right

Trading Floor Culture, Information, and Concentric Circles

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Trading Places

Ruth Jean Dale

Trading Places, a comedy film, follows two men from different social classes who have their lives switched as part of a bet. The film is known for its hilarious performances by Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, and its exploration of themes such as class, wealth, and social mobility. The film's success led to its status as a cult classic, and its influence on subsequent comedy films is undeniable. The film's enduring appeal lies in its humor and its sharp social commentary. The film's impact on popular culture is undeniable, with its quotes and imagery remaining instantly recognizable.

Join Jeff Malec as he sits down with Brad Giaimo and Bruce Greig from Q3 Asset Management, two investment pros who turned trading floor grit into a modern, rules-based quant shop helping RIAs build out tactical trading models for clients. From Brad's formative days alongside Paul Tudor Jones to Bruce's mathematical approach to market analysis, you’ll hear how Q3 builds transparent, systematic models that aim to outperform while protecting downside risk. If you’re an RIA, allocator, or markets geek, this episode is packed with tactical insights and practical knowledge delivered by practitioners who’ve moved from the trading pits to the trading platforms. SEND IT!

Chapters:

00:00-00:42=Intro

00:43-9:37= Cotton to Paul Tudor Jones: Brad Giamio's Trading Floor Origin Story

09:38-19:39=From Bankruptcy Software to Quantitative Trading: Bruce Greig's Path to Q3

19:40-34:57=Q3's Organic Growth: From Family Funds to Advisor-Driven Strategies

34:58-47:42=Systematic Investing Unveiled: Q3's Quantitative Model Philosophy

47:43-01:03:16= Q3's Fund Evolution: From SMAs to Mutual Funds and ETFs

01:03:17-01:09:47= Eddie Murphy & Trading Floor Memories: The Concentric Circles of Market Information

RCM Blog: The Definitive List of the Best Investing Movies
Follow along on LinkedIn with Bruce & Brad and be sure to check out Q3's website https://www.q3tactical.com/ for more information!

Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, business, or tax advice. All opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of RCM Alternatives, their affiliates, or companies featured. Due to industry regulations, participants on this podcast are instructed not to make specific trade recommendations, nor reference past or potential profits. And listeners are reminded that managed futures, commodity trading, and other alternative investments are complex and carry a risk of substantial losses. As such, they are not suitable for all investors. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcmalternatives.com/disclaimer⁠⁠⁠

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books