Top Traders Unplugged
Niels Kaastrup-Larsen
Discover the fascinating world of investing with Niels Kaastrup-Larsen and his remarkable co-hosts. Each week, we bring you compelling conversations with legendary investors, leading economists, masterful traders, and forward-thinking thought leaders. From Trend Following and Global Macro to Geo-Politics, Commodities, Quant Investing, Crypto, and Volatility, we uncover the strategies, stories, and lessons behind their success. Gain actionable insights from industry veterans as we celebrate their achievements and learn from their challenges. Stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of investing - tune in weekly and elevate your financial knowledge. For the latest episodes and expert insights, visit https://toptradersunplugged.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 25, 2024 • 1h 5min
GM71: The Carry Risk Lurking in Your Portfolio ft. Kevin Coldiron
Kevin Coldiron, co-author of 'The Rise of Carry', and financial expert Alan Dunne dive into the evolving landscape of carry trades. They discuss the recent unwinding of the Yen carry trade and its implications on financial strategies. Coldiron highlights the role of the S&P 500 within the current carry regime and deliberates on potential risks such as a deflation shock. The conversation also touches on how geopolitical dynamics could influence future carry strategies, making this a must-listen for investors navigating today’s complex markets.
Sep 21, 2024 • 1h 11min
SI314: Algo Anxiety... Can AI Resolve This? ft. Mark Rzepczynski
Mark Rzepczynski, a trend-following and systematic trading expert, engages listeners with insights on financial trends and the influence of central banks. He discusses the importance of carry trading and the innovative KuU framework for strategic investing. Delving into AI's role, Rzepczynski contrasts investors' trust in algorithms versus human insights, exploring the nuances of market behavior and decision-making. The conversation also highlights the challenges faced by traders amid evolving market dynamics and the significance of clear communication in systematic strategies.
Sep 18, 2024 • 1h 19min
GM70: The State of the Commodity Super Cycle ft. Adam Rozencwajg
Adam Rozencwajg, a returning expert on commodity markets, shares his insights on the anticipated Commodity Super Cycle. He discusses the cyclical nature of commodities, focusing on the bullish trends in gold and the undervaluation of gold equities. The conversation also explores the dynamics of the copper market amid the green transition and China's consumption patterns. Adam highlights investment opportunities in uranium and reflects on the relationship between demographic trends and economic outcomes, emphasizing the importance of long-term strategies.
Sep 14, 2024 • 1h 5min
SI313: The Paradox of High-Volatility Alternatives ft. Alan Dunne
Alan Dunne, an expert in macroeconomic issues, joins forces with renowned economist Kenneth Rogoff to navigate the complexities of inflation and volatility. They unpack Rogoff's insights on anticipated inflation spikes and examine troubling trends in multi-strategy hedge funds, reflecting shifting investor sentiments. Dunne shares concerns about potential flash crashes and explores high-volatility alternatives versus traditional low-volatility strategies. Their discussion highlights the need for a long-term perspective in adapting investment strategies amid an evolving macro landscape.
27 snips
Sep 11, 2024 • 59min
IL30: How To Evaluate True Macro Risk? ft. Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak
Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Global Chief Economist at BCG and author of "Shocks, Crises and False Alarms," discusses the pitfalls of alarmist economic predictions. He critiques the obsession with doom-saying forecasts, advocating for a nuanced approach to assessing macroeconomic risk. The conversation covers the consequences of misinterpreting economic signals during COVID-19, explores inflation dynamics, and highlights the intricacies of tight labor markets and productivity, offering insights for navigating today's economic challenges.
Sep 7, 2024 • 1h 14min
SI312: Should You Just Buy a CTA Index? ft. Rob Carver
Rob Carver, a systematic trading expert, emphasizes the need for traders to take real breaks from the markets. He shares his experiences with letting his trading system run while on holiday and explores the theory of macro momentum. Carver discusses targeting portfolio volatility without relying on stop-losses, the implications of a potential U.S. Bitcoin strategic reserve, and the intricacies of ETFs. He also analyses whether buying CTA replication products truly mirrors the performance of underlying indices, shedding light on critical investment strategies.
34 snips
Sep 4, 2024 • 1h 3min
GM69: The Global Economy from a Liquidity Perspective ft. Michael Howell
Michael Howell, Managing Director of Crossborder Capital and author, offers deep insights into liquidity's pivotal role in global markets. He unveils how rising liquidity could favor risky assets, countering the belief that the Fed is tightening. With $70 trillion in annual refinancing needs, he argues inflation is probable, significantly impacting gold and equities. The discussion also navigates intricate FX market dynamics, recent yen fluctuations, and hints at potential strategies to weaken the US dollar, suggesting substantial implications for liquidity and asset values.
Sep 1, 2024 • 1h 1min
SI311: BREAKING: New CTA Index being revealed ft. Andrew Beer
Andrew Beer, an expert on replication strategies, reveals intriguing insights into the trend-following community's challenges amidst August's market volatility. He discusses the complexities of achieving optimal correlation levels in replication and addresses the struggles faced by Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs). The conversation delves into the due diligence process and explains why managed futures are worth allocating to. Lastly, Beer unveils a groundbreaking new CTA index, shedding light on the evolving landscape of managed futures strategies.
Aug 28, 2024 • 1h 2min
GM68: Chief Strategist: “Most Scenerios Point to Recession” ft. Peter Berezin
Peter Berezin, Chief Strategist at BCA Research, shares insights on the looming US recession and potential declines in the S&P 500. He discusses leading indicators in housing, labor, and manufacturing that suggest economic weakening. Peter critiques current equity valuations, especially concerning AI optimism, and details the implications of rising unemployment. He also forecasts a gradual Fed easing cycle, expected 10-year yields at 3%, and highlights the future of commodities, contrasting the prospects of metals against struggling oil.
17 snips
Aug 24, 2024 • 1h 3min
SI310: The Illusion of Backtests and True Drivers of Price ft. Richard Brennan
Richard Brennan, an expert in volatility and investor behavior, shares insights on the recent market turbulence, comparing it to airplane turbulence as a metaphor for volatility. He argues against the reliance on backtesting for predicting future performance, advocating for more realistic expectations of risk and returns. The conversation highlights how human behavior influences price movements and discusses the role of trend followers in this dynamic. Brennan also addresses the benefits of including highly correlated assets in trend-following portfolios.
