The HC Commodities Podcast From Systematic Trading to Structural Edge with Hans Balgobin
Sep 30, 2025
Hans Balgobin, an experienced systematic trader with a diverse background at firms like HSBC and Shell, shares insights on systematic trading. He explains how structured, data-driven strategies enhance decision-making and deliver competitive advantages. The conversation dives into model anatomy, the importance of backtesting, and the balance between manual and algorithmic execution. Balgobin also highlights future trends, including data democratization and the shifting market structures, emphasizing how these changes will redefine trading in commodities.
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Systematic Equals Repeatable Clarity
- Systematic trading is about repeatable, rational processes that map inputs to trading decisions.
- Quantitative work supplies mathematical tools but systematic work ensures clarity and reproducibility.
Prioritize Explainable Methods
- Seek clarity first: make methods explainable to stakeholders and regulators.
- Use clarity to reduce errors, speed decisions, and enable post-mortem improvements.
Externalize The Trader's Brain
- Systematic models externalize a trader's internal 'state of the world' into data feeds and processing nodes.
- Monitoring and cleaning incoming data feeds is a foundational, ongoing requirement.