Top Traders Unplugged

In this week’s episode, Tim Pickering, Founder of Auspice Capital, joins me to discuss why commodities play such an important role in a portfolio, how to create a strategy that adapts to different volatility regimes, why he created The Auspice Broad Commodity Index, the role and importance of ESG in commodities trading, how commodity futures can be used as a risk mitigation tool, why Ukraine is so important for commodities, how to effectively protect yourself against inflation and much more-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn this episode, we discuss:Why commodities play such an important role in a portfolioHow to create a strategy that adapts to different volatility regimesHow ESG and commodities trading is closely relatedWhether to embrace Chinese commodity marketsWhy the war in Ukraine is so important for commoditiesStrategies for protecting yourself against inflation-----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 Tim on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 - Intro02:40 - What has caught Tim and Niels’ attention recently? 06:33 - What has happened since last Niels and Tim spoke in 2014?11:45 - Has Tim made any major research discoveries since last time?19:31 - Why commodities and why now?30:50 - How much room for liquidity is there in the markets?37:32 - Tim’s thoughts on the LME44:31 - Thoughts on commodity exposure and futures51:51 - Why is Ukraine so important for commodities?01:00:16 - Risk mitigation strategies at big pension plans01:07:08 - Update on performanceCopyright © 2025 – 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

In today’s episode, Alan Dunne is joined by Katherine Molnar, CIO of Fairfax County Police Officers Retirement System, and Andrew Spellar, CIO of Fairfax County Employees Retirement System, to discuss how asset allocation is handled by one of the best performing public pension funds, how they manage risk and balance their portfolio through diversification, how the current instability in the markets has shaped their investment strategy, expectations of returns for different investment strategies, running portfolios using a risk parity framework, moving into digital assets, manager selection and much more.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn this episode, we discuss:How asset allocation is handled in a successful public pension fund like Fairfax County Retirement SystemHow they manage risk and create balance in their portfoliosHow instability in the markets has shaped their strategyHow they look at return expectationsThe (brave) move into digital assetsManager selectionSkills and challenges of being a CIO-----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 Katherine on LinkedIn.Follow Andrew on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Intro03:05 - Overview of Fairfax County’s asset allocation strategy14:27 - How has the current market affected their strategy?19:35 - The growth of risk mitigation strategies28:42 - Setting return expectations37:02 - What scenario keeps Molnar and Spellar awake at night?39:38 - Digital assets in a public pension plan51:05 - Manager selection...the insight scoop58:00 - Skills and challenges of being a CIO01:04:30 - Advice on becoming a better allocator01:08:08 - Thanks for listeningCopyright © 2025 – 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

Today, Rich and I discuss the Q1 Trend Following performance and how it turned out to be one of the best calendar quarters for the SG Trend and SG CTA indices. We also dive into my own "thesis" about trend following in a De-Globalized world and why I believe that we may be returning to the golden era of trend following, like in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. As usual we debated a few great questions from our community, relating to Volatility Targeting and how to manage your Stop-Loss. A lively episode for sure!-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn this episode, we discuss:Interest Rates and the current Bear Market in BondsOur slighltly different definitions of the term "Crisis Alpha"The concern's Rich has for the World, and what that means for Trend FollowingThe impact on Trend Following of a De-Globalization of the WorldThe difference between initial and trailling stops, and when to use themWhat software to use to backtest your systemsWhether dynamically adjusting your position size during a trade is better or worse than keeping it static-----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 Rich on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 – Intro03:09 – Weekly recap from Niels05:22 - Update on Rich's Battleship15:35 - Crisis Alpha...yes but much more21:40 - My Trend Following Thesis37:24 - Q1, Andrew: Could you all define the use of a trailing vs initial stop in systems you use?52:25 - Q2, Nicolas: Do you know any affordable back testing systems, other than Excel?56:45 – Q3, Brian: If you Vol adjust your positions...when, if ever, do you re-establish your full position if volatility collapses?01:21:26 – Industry Performance UpdateCopyright © 2025 – 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

Today, Alan Dunne is joined by Ted Seides, host and creator of the Capital Allocators podcast, to discuss the investment approach and philosophy of David Swensen, the Yale Model and how Seides has used the model to develop his own approach, whether being a hedgefond allocator has become gradually more difficult over the years, the bet Seides made with Warren Buffett, asset allocation vs. manager selection and the challenges to overcome, what Seides has learned from doing his podcast, decision making processes and governance, crypto currencies and digital assets and much more.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn this episode, we discuss:The philosophy of David Swensen and the Yale ModelHow the role of hedge funds has changed over the yearsThe bet Seides made with Warren BuffettAsset allocation vs. manager selection and the challenges to overcomeWhat Seides has learned from doing his podcastThe importance of leadership and time managementThe difficulty of making a good decision in the heat of the momentThe future of crypto currencies and digital assets-----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 Ted on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Intro03:23 - Ted’s background07:35 - How Seides deviates from Swensen in his approach10:36 - The Yale Model and the end of 60/4015:55 - Is it more difficult to be a hedgefond allocator now?23:03 - Asset allocation vs. manager selection31:35 - What has Seides learned from doing his podcast?39:58 - Learning by doing vs. learning from courses etc.41:22 - What has Seides learned from interviewing CIOs and Allocators?43:35 - What constitutes good and bad governance?49:14 - Ted’s perspective on crypto currencies and digital assets51:55 - Macro trends in the coming years53:39 - Reflection on the success of Ted’s podcast57:47 - How Ted’s role has evolved01:01:21 - Thanks for listeningResources discussed in this Episode:Link: David F. SwensenCopyright © 2025 – 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

Mark Rzepczynski joins me in this week’s episode, to discuss strategies for rebalancing your portfolio, the coming de-globalisation and its impact on Trend Following, especially in light of events in Ukraine, the Hedger’s dilemma and how the LME may have lost the trust of its clients, divergence and how it might cause disruption in markets, what Mark learned from working with Ned Johnson III at Fidelity, and how the principle of Kaizen can be applied to trend following.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn this episode, we discuss:Different strategies for rebalancing your portfolioHow de-globalisation can impact Trend FollowingThe recent events in Nickel trading at the LMEHow divergence might cause disruption in markets,How the Japanese philosophy, Kaizen, can be applied to trend following-----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 Mark on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 - Intro02:10 - Market recap04:41 - What has caught Mark’s attention recently?13:46 - Overview of the week18:28 - Q1, Brett: Any thoughts on rebalancing based on trending performance?30:45 - Trend Following, globalization and the Dark Ages47:15 - What happened at LME?59:18 - Fidelity, Edward Johnson and the Kaizen philosophy01:14:29 - Update on performance Resources discussed in this Episode:Link: Edward ‘Ned’ Johnson, Former Fidelity CEO, Dies - WSJCopyright © 2025 – 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

In this episode, Niels and Rob is joined by Kevin Coldiron, co-author of the book “The Rise of Carry” and lecturer in Asset Management at UC Berkeley, to discuss the use of carry trading as a trading strategy, how it relates to volatility and risk, how carry trading creates market feedback effects, and how that is distinct from feedback created by other strategies, how it can play a role in financial bubbles, whether we are still in a carry regime or transitioning away from it and what comes after.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn This Episode, we discuss:The increasing popularity of carry trading and its role in the global economyThe risk and volatility of carry trading, and how it can play a role in financial bubblesHow carry trading creates market feedback effects, and how that is distinct from feedback created by other strategiesThe role of liquidity within the carry worldThe future of carry-----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 Kevin on TwitterEpisode Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:25 - Introduction to Kevin05:53 - Background on the co-authors of Kevin’s book09:43 - Definition of carry trading with examples13:56 - Volatility vs. risk23:11 - The role of Volatility in investing28:27 - Carry trade suppressing volatility35:55 - Does carry trades play a role in financial bubbles?41:01 - The current carry regime?43:38 - Carry in macroeconomics52:48 - What comes after the carry regime?01:05:44 - Thanks for listeningCopyright © 2025 – 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

In today's episode Alan Dunne joins me to discuss many different aspects of trend following - its relevance, strengths, weaknesses and future, roll-harvesting strategies, what causes trends in markets, whether it is too late to invest in trend following, its role within risk mitigation, how investors perceive trend following and if you really need to trade strategies that fits your personality.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn this episode, we discuss:Trend following and its strengths, weaknesses, relevance and futureDealing with volatility as a trend followerFinding investment strategies that fits your personalityWhat causes trends in marketsRisk mitigation strategies-----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.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 - Intro02:45 - Market recap04:32 - Overview of the week11:35 - Q1, ABE: What are your opinion on roll-harvesting strategies?21:06 - What causes trends in markets?43:05 - Is it too late to invest in trend following?50:22 - Risk mitigation and investor perception of Trend Following58:42 - Key insights from the Allocator series so far01:06:51 - Update on performanceResources discussed in this Episode:Hedge funds pull in another USD11.29bn in JanuaryCopyright © 2025 – 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

In this episode Hari is joined by Alex Gurevich, author, PhD in mathematics and founder of HonTe Investments, to discuss how he values bonds differently to many investors today, how to build a balanced portfolio, the many ways to loose money when buying an option (even if you are "kinda" right) as well as how he makes decisions as a trader, how to manage stress and keep a healthy lifestyle as a hedge fund manager and what the future of the global financial markets may look like.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn this episode, we discuss:How different types of bonds are valuatedThe pattern in how many times the FED tends to move rates, once they beginWhy Rate cycles are getting shorter (in time)Why Alex believes that the FED should not raise rates before reducing their balance sheetAlex playbook for the Ukrainian crisis: Oil could collapse to $40 and Rates could go back to zeroHow your performance can end up defining who you are (if you are not careful)The synchronisation of the central banks and how the future might look for the global financial market-----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 Hari on Twitter.Follow Alex on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Intro02:42 - Introduction to Alex and his background07:20 - How Alex think about bonds16:37 - Have bonds become more important since 2008?18:15 - Making decisions as a trader, and handling victories and defeats28:01 - Why did Alex go into dividend futures during Covid crisis?33:41 - What Alex would have done if the FED had not stepped in during the Covid crisis35:40 - How manager can feel that their performance defines who they are41:27 - The synchronization of central banks and the affect on rates48:59 - What’s going to happen with the FED going forward?54:05 - Rounding off and overview of Alex’s books59:38 - Thank you for listeningCopyright © 2025 – 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

Jerry Parker joins me in today’s episode to discuss trend following as a robust guide to the markets in a world of instability and insecurity. We also discuss the recent short squeeze in nickel which has led to an unprecidented response from the LME, how to develop a trend following system, and what to do if you miss a breakout trade. We dive into when to trade index-based products vs. single stocks, how to manage trailing stops, and Jerry's decision to stop doing trend following research and rounding off our conversation with interesting and somewhat provocative tweets from Jerry. -----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn this episode, we discuss:Trend following and volatility in relation to the current situation in UkraineThe recent short squeeze in nickel trading and the reaction from the LMETips and tricks to grow as a trend followerHow to develop a good trend following systemHow to manage trailing stopsHow Jerry managed his short Russian stock positionWhat Jerry will focus on as he stops doing Trend Following Research-----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 Jerry on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 - Intro01:40 - Summary of the week08:03 - What happened this week with nickel trading14:53 - Q1, Josh: Any tips and tricks for Trend Following investing and ETFs?31:57 - Q2, William: How do you react following a missed breakout?37:11 - Q3, ABE: Is it wise to avoid Index-based products and how to trade CTA Index Futures? How do CTAs as an industry, become part of the financial zeitgeist going forward?45:36 - Q4, FunnyMoney: Are trading stops intra-day or managed at the next day open?49:25 - What happens if you stop doing trend following research57:00 - Tweets from Jerry01:20:43 - Performance overview01:21:49 - Thanks for listeningResources discussed in this Episode:LINK: From VW to JPMorgan, the Unlikely Cast Behind Nickel’s Big SqueezeLink: Nickel Short Squeeze & Exchange safeguards explainedCopyright © 2025 – 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

In this episode, Alan Dunne is joined by Chris Schelling, Chief Investment Strategist at Venturi Private Wealth and author of the book “Better Than Alpha”, to discuss asset allocation and how assets are managed in the private space vs institutional space, about disrupting the 60/40 model and formulating a new standard, the evolution of the industry over the years, the role of liquidity in asset allocation, the use of Alpha and Beta in investment, what it takes to be a skilled manager and the risk of manager selection.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn this episode, we discuss:How are assets managed in the private space vs institutional spaceBiases in asset allocation and how to overcome them.Using Alpha, Beta and other investment strategiesDue diligence and things to avoid in the processThe risks of manager selection and what it takes to be a good manager.-----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 Chris Schelling on LinkedIn & read his book.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Intro03:23 - About Chris’s background and his role at Venturi12:45 - Disrupting the 60/40 model and formulating a new standard17:54 - How the industry has evolved over the years21:56 - Is private equity less risky?23:43 - Is liquidity being more or less valued as it should be?27:39 - Alpha, Beta and mapping strategies into categories32:37 - Dispersion and persistence of returns36:30 - How to set objectives and make decisions40:14 - Overcoming biases44:20 - Dealing with randomness47:33 - Important skills managers need to have54:29 - Timeframe for analysing a manager’s performance57:46 - Things to avoid in the due diligence process01:00:14 - Risks within manager selection01:03:00 - How much experience do you need?01:05:09 - Advice for working with asset allocation and manager selection01:06:12 - Book recommendationsCopyright © 2025 – 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