Top Traders Unplugged

Join Andrew Beer, a managed futures expert, and Tom Wrobel from SocGen as they delve into the evolving world of CTAs. They discuss the urgent need to reshape narratives around trend-following strategies for investors. The duo explores BlackRock's new actively managed ETF, examining its potential impact on portfolio allocations. They also touch on innovative ESG-compliant products designed to attract cautious investors. With valuable insights on market adaptation and the future of systematic investing, this conversation is a must-listen.

Julia Lane, a Professor at NYU’s Wagner School and author of "Democratizing Our Data: A Manifesto", discusses the urgent need for reforming the outdated U.S. data system. She highlights the inaccuracies in economic measures like GDP and unemployment rates and argues for a new non-partisan institute to ensure reliable data access. Lane emphasizes the importance of modernized data collection methods, especially in a rapidly evolving AI landscape, and speaks to global lessons in data integration and trust-building.

The lively discussion delves into the impactful role of social media on systematic investment strategies. Participants reflect on bizarre market trends, like meme stocks and Bitcoin bonds, revealing a mix of caution and optimism among investors. The conversation examines the future of hedge funds, highlighting the shift towards alternative investments and multi-strategy approaches. Bold predictions for 2025 spark excitement, touching on equities and U.S.-China dynamics, while the implications of evolving market conditions and the U.S. dollar add to the intrigue.

Tillmann Sachs, co-founder of J8 Capital Management and former structured derivatives expert, and Vishal Sharma, head of trading at J8, discuss innovative trading strategies. They delve into J8’s Global Absolute Return Strategy, emphasizing its diverse methods like carry and arbitrage, while unveiling the Redwood strategy focusing on short-term trades. The conversation highlights risk management techniques, automated trading systems, and their hybrid coding approach to enhance investment strategies and reliability in market operations.

A dynamic roundtable discussion unveils insights on investment strategies for 2024. Experts analyze dramatic return dispersion among trend-following managers, spotlighting speed differences and the impact of macroeconomic changes like Federal Reserve policies. The conversation delves into market volatility, the challenges of AI in trading, and the geopolitical landscape shaped by the upcoming presidential election. Reflections on past mistakes highlight the complexities of investment approaches, urging listeners to rethink their strategies as they gear up for 2025.

In this engaging discussion, Ed Yardeni, President of Yardeni Research and a leading market commentator, shares his Roaring 2020s thesis, highlighting optimism for sustained economic growth driven by technology. He analyzes the potential impacts of the new administration's fiscal policies on the Federal Reserve and bond markets. Ed provocatively compares Bitcoin to gold, questioning its status as a digital asset and discussing its implications in the context of inflation and market dynamics. His insights into productivity gains and evolving investment strategies are not to be missed!

Today, we examine the intriguing dynamics of systematic investing, focusing on the theme of volatility sizing and its implications for trend following strategies. We discuss how volatility often expands during profitable trades, highlighting the importance of managing risk through dynamic sizing compared to static approaches. We explore the interplay between equities and managed futures, emphasizing how these strategies can complement each other while navigating the complexities of correlation risk. As we look ahead to 2025, the conversation touches on broader economic themes, including inflation volatility and its potential impact on investment strategies. With insights from recent research, the episode provides valuable perspectives for investors seeking to understand the evolving landscape of systematic investing.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Alan on Twitter.Follow Katy on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps:01:05 - What has caught our attention recently?02:13 - Industry performance update03:48 - Our takeaways from 202409:20 - How different speed has performed in different markets13:25 - Has market correlation been lower than usual this year?14:15 - Concluding on 202415:55 - Interesting news in the ETF space18:29 - Key takeaways from the Hedge Nordic Roundtable 202420:18 - Optimism for the managed futures space?23:10 - A historical perspective on volatility sizing30:50 - How different styles of trend following work and perform35:51 - When is long vol a good strategy to use?37:41 - The challenges of trend following as a strategy41:36 - Our perspective on running portable alpha49:15 - Where does portable alpha sit in a portfolio?51:59 - Tweaking your trend following portfolio to accommodate equities54:06 - Thoughts on going into 2025Copyright © 2024 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my eBooks, I put together some key discoveries and things I have learnt during the more than 3 decades I have worked in the Trend Following industry, which I hope you will find useful. Click Here2. Daily Trend Barometer and Market Score One of the things I’m really proud of, is the fact that I have managed to published the Trend Barometer and Market Score each day for more than a decade...as these tools are really good at describing the environment for trend following managers as well as giving insights into the general positioning of a trend following strategy! Click Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd if you are hungry for more useful resources from the trend following world...check out some precious resources that I have found over the years to be really valuable. Click HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer

Join Paul Donovan, Chief Economist of UBS Global Wealth Management, as he navigates the tangled web of economic data and public perception. He discusses the structural challenges facing Europe, questioning if current pessimism is exaggerated. Donovan highlights the impact of mismeasured data on our understanding of economic health, and examines the implications of U.S. tariffs on inflation and Federal Reserve policy. He also draws intriguing parallels between Europe’s economic trajectory and Japan’s stagnation, providing deep insights into global economic trends.

Graham Robertson from MAN AHL, a trend-following and systematic investing expert, shares his insights on navigating today's volatile markets. He discusses how central bank actions impact trends and the importance of adapting strategies to current conditions. Robertson emphasizes the need for diversification to enhance portfolio resilience and explains the complexities of trend-following models. The conversation also highlights the necessity of clear communication with investors about these strategies, especially in unpredictable economic landscapes.

Join Dr. Daniel Crosby as he unpacks the behavioral secrets behind wealth and a purposeful life. Discover how simple daily actions can significantly impact your investing success. Learn about the transformative role of financial advisors and the psychological factors that shape our financial decisions. Explore the interplay of technology, relationships, and money, and how fears around investing can be overcome. Dive into reflections that connect money with meaning, promoting a balanced approach to personal finance.