Other People's Money with Max Wiethe

This episode is brought to you by Fintool. Learn more about how you can add AI to your investment process with Fintool: https://fintool.com/?utm_source=the_opmToronto may be the financial capital of Canada but compared to NYC or London it does not quite have the same cachet for top hedge fund managers. This might be why Moez Kassam, CIO and Founder of Anson Funds, has flown under the radar of many keeping track of the industry’s titans while growing Anson Funds to over $2b in assets under management and putting together a track record of 15% annualized returns since inception in 2007. Known as a short selling specialist, Kassam shares his views on the art of shorting, dives into some of the other differentiated strategies Anson employs and explains how he attracts top talent to Toronto.This episode is brought to you by Fintool, a financial copilot tailored for institutional investors. Fintool leverages Large Language Models (LLMs) to discover financial insights beyond the reach of timely human analysis. From summarizing extensive annual reports to computing numbers and unearthing new insights by comparing years of filings, Fintool equips institutional investors like Janus Henderson, First Manhattan and companies like PWC. Learn more about how you can add AI to your investment process: https://fintool.com/?utm_source=the_opmFollow Moez Kassam on X: https://x.com/MunchingMoezFollow Anson Funds on X: https://x.com/AnsonGroupFundsFollow Max Wiethe on X: https://x.com/maxwietheFollow Other People’s Money on:Apple Podcast https://bit.ly/4e7QJ1MSpotify https://bit.ly/3YhaaziYouTube https://bit.ly/3C63VXRX https://x.com/opmpod

Alan Strauss, Senior Partner at Crystal Capital Partners, sheds light on the booming alternative investment landscape. He emphasizes the growing role of platforms that lower barriers for individual investors, allowing access to hedge funds, private equity, and more. The discussion covers the evolution from traditional fund structures to customized investment models, driven by advisor education and client needs. Strauss also highlights the challenges faced by smaller fund managers and the critical need for thorough due diligence in this changing market.

Ken Heinz, President of HFR Index LLC, shares insights on the hedge fund industry, which has surged to a record $4.5 trillion in assets. He discusses the rise of multi-manager funds and the booming interest in crypto strategies, highlighting new firms alongside established players. The conversation delves into trends in fund formations and closures, emphasizing the challenges smaller funds face. Heinz also touches on investor dynamics and the evolving landscape toward greater accessibility and regulation in hedge fund investments.

Brett Caughran, founder and lead trainer at Fundamental Edge, shares his insights on succeeding in the competitive hedge fund world. He emphasizes the importance of mastering practical skills and building trust with portfolio managers over time. The discussion also covers the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, as well as the evolving role of AI in investment analysis. Caughran highlights the need for continuous education and the diverse paths available for aspiring analysts aiming for portfolio management.

Ilya Zaides, Founder and CIO of 14B Capital Management, dives into the team dynamics that underpin hedge fund success. He emphasizes that investor trust hinges on relationship stability, not just historical performance. The conversation highlights how proper alignment of team incentives boosts collaboration and decision-making. Zaides also discusses the necessity of continuous research in adapting to evolving market landscapes and the challenges of communicating complex strategies effectively to institutional investors.

Former fund manager and short seller Russell Clark has always believed that the key to adding value for investors is to solve for the biggest risks in their portfolios. He also argues it’s the key to successfully raising hedge fund assets. In this interview, Clark discusses the biggest risks he thinks investors face right now, why these risks have him considering relaunching his hedge fund after returning capital in 2021, and why if he does relaunch, he’s inverting the long short hedge fund model.You can read Russell's Substack here: https://www.russell-clark.comFollow Other People’s Money on:Apple Podcast https://bit.ly/4e7QJ1MSpotify https://bit.ly/3YhaaziYouTube https://bit.ly/3C63VXRFollow Russell Clark on Twitter: https://x.com/rampagingrussFollow Max Wiethe on Twitter: https://x.com/maxwiethe

Benn Eifert, Managing Partner of QVR Advisors, shares insights from his experience managing $2 billion in assets. He reveals that trading skills alone don't cut it for hedge fund success, emphasizing the importance of operational and interpersonal skills. Eifert discusses the rise of pod shops for attracting talent and assets, as well as the increasing trend of separately managed accounts for sophisticated investors. He also dives into the growing use of derivative strategies in public funds, highlighting their complexities and risks for retail investors.

Kyle Mowery, Portfolio Manager and Founder of Grizzly Rock Capital, dives into the challenges facing hedge fund managers in today’s volatile market. He discusses how small/mid-cap value investors must adapt their strategies to keep pace with changing investor demands. Mowery emphasizes the importance of clear communication and setting realistic expectations. He also shares insights on the advantages of collaborating within a pod versus launching solo and outlines what he would do differently if starting Grizzly Rock today, highlighting the need for adaptability.

Eric Crittenden, CIO and founder of Stand Point Asset Management, shares insights on navigating the changing investment landscape. He discusses how his mutual fund achieved over $1 billion in assets under management in just five years amidst the prevalence of ETFs. Crittenden highlights the importance of an all-weather investment approach and diversification strategies for weathering market volatility. He emphasizes the value of global equity exposure and educating clients about alternative investments, challenging common biases in the industry.

Having raised over $450m in less than 6 months, Warren Pies, Founder of 3Fourteen Research and Portfolio Manager of $FCTE, has had one of the most successful independent ETF launches of all time. Despite the seemingly overnight success of his fund management business, the real story is about the steady growth of his research business that feeds into everything they do.. He explains how his research business has become a pipeline of investor interest in his ETF business and how research relationships flip the traditional client interaction on its head. He also discusses why he chose to focus on setting good expectations with reasonable clients rather than playing the flashy retail newsletter game.Follow Other People’s Money on: Apple Podcast https://bit.ly/4e7QJ1M Spotify https://bit.ly/3Yhaazi YouTube https://bit.ly/3C63VXR Follow Warren Pies on Twitter: https://x.com/WarrenPiesFollow Max Wiethe on Twitter: https://x.com/maxwiethe