The Derivative

Topics discussed in this podcast include the evolution of options trading, hedging strategies, San Francisco's economic landscape, computer science and AI advancements, starting a fund, diversifying options, market environments, market participation, and the value of time in investing.

Emil van Essen and Bryan Kiernan of Katonah/EVE discuss the evolution of their strategies and firm, including front-running commodity index rolls and mastering roll yields. They explore topics like spread trading, diversification in commodity markets, and the importance of testing ideas with live ammunition. They also touch on the energy patch, the crypto space, and China's role in the market.

Join Tim Kramer, seasoned energy and power trader and CEO of CNIC Funds, on a stimulating conversation about electrifying America, the challenges facing renewable energy, creating innovative indices, the dynamic interplay between power and commodities, carbon offset vetting, and the legitimacy of Bitcoin mining on power grids.

Why Systematic? Why CTA? Why Now? These are common questions on the minds of many professionals in the Managed Futures field. On this episode of the Derivative podcast, host Jeff Malec takes on a unique role as a featured guest on a panel recently hosted by RCM Alternatives in Chicago alongside Cohen & Company and Mercer. While Jeff is usually the one leading the discussions, this time, he gets the opportunity to be a participant alongside other industry experts. Together, they delve deep into the inner workings of various trading models. The main focus of the discussion is to understand how these models function, distinguish between pod-shops and multi-strat data infrastructure, and explore the role of A.I. in the industry. Additionally, they discuss the differences between systematic macro and trend-following approaches.   Joining Jeff on the panel are Joe Kelly from Campbell, Brian Proctor from EMC, and Rodrigo Gordillo from Resolve. The conversation is both insightful and engaging, shedding light on the world of Managed Futures Hedge Funds — SEND IT! Chapters: 00:00-01:42=Intro 01:43-15:41=Approaching CTAs – Why now for systematic macro? Inflation, stacking (yes + this) 15:42-25:57=Current state of rising interest rates & trend following diversification 25:58-40:25=Machine learning: Parameter sets, Data, managing risk, A.I., & no emotions 40:26-48:49=Discretion: When, Why, or do we use it? 48:50-01:11:06=Questions? Let's open it up to the audience Follow along on Twitter with Rodrigo Gordillo @RodGordilloP, Mercer @mercer, & Cohen & Company @CohenCPA for more information! Don't forget to subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Derivative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, follow us on Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rcmAlts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and our host Jeff at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AttainCap2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign-up for our blog digest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, business, or tax advice. All opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of RCM Alternatives, their affiliates, or companies featured. Due to industry regulations, participants on this podcast are instructed not to make specific trade recommendations, nor reference past or potential profits. And listeners are reminded that managed futures, commodity trading, and other alternative investments are complex and carry a risk of substantial losses. As such, they are not suitable for all investors. For more information, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcmalternatives.com/disclaimer

What do you do when you’ve already done everything there is to do in trend. Managed billion of dollars: check. One of first to run a trend following mutual fund: check. Trend following on individual equities: check. You push the envelope again, and convince the folks that create ETFs that you actually can pack your fully diversified equities plus futures portfolio into an ETF wrapper.  On this episode of The Derivative, we sit down with the legendary Jerry Parker, a former Turtle Trader who’s newest effort is an ETF product called ‘Trend Following Plus Nothing’.   Jerry and Jeff explore a wide range of topics, including whether multi-billion CTAs sold their (trend) souls to get there, just why nobody really tries to trend follow on individual equity names. Seeing a green light when they tell you it can’t be done. Jerry also opens up about finding the perfect balance of personal risk and mental fortitude to achieve success in trend following while sharing some personal anecdotes, including his love for pet birds.  Discover the power of trading components instead of an index of components, the impact of Fed limits on trend, and the intricacies of volatility targeting (hint: Jerry doesn’t believe in it). We'll also delve into the art of portfolio construction, the virtue of trend following impatience, the true essence of trend following as an inflationary hedge, and so much more — SEND IT. Chapters: 00:00-02:00=Intro 02:01-04:50= No birds allowed on Long Island, NY 04:51-16:38= The journey creating the new ETF needed diversification 16:39-30:02= Replication – what’s your limit? Hard=Simple/Simple=Hard 30:03-41:45= Market Makers, Outlier Moves, and what’s deserving of your portfolio 41:46-48:50=Embracing the Trend Following philosophy 48:51-01:00:02= The narrow road taken 01:00:03-01:03:29= Trend following+nothing From the episode: The Swiss(Franc) isn’t all that neutral – blog post Trend Following Turtle Tails (and Tales) with Jerry Parker - podcast Check out our Trend Following whitepaper! Follow along with Jerry on Twitter @rjparkerjr09 and visit ChesapeakeCapital.com for more information! Don't forget to subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Derivative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, follow us on Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rcmAlts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and our host Jeff at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AttainCap2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign-up for our blog digest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, business, or tax advice. All opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of RCM Alternatives, their affiliates, or companies featured. Due to industry regulations, participants on this podcast are instructed not to make specific trade recommendations, nor reference past or potential profits. And listeners are reminded that managed futures, commodity trading, and other alternative investments are complex and carry a risk of substantial losses. As such, they are not suitable for all investors. For more information, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcmalternatives.com/disclaimer

Jason Buck is back in this follow-up, Part II episode rehashing all the goings on at Global EQD '23, and he's continuing the conversation on equity market hedging, not to mention interest rate, currency, and more hedging – plus volatility markets and investment strategies with host Jeff Malec.  Jason and Jeff discuss what was discussed, including the influence of Fed policy, abnormally low volatility in equities, cross-asset volatility, and the relationship between skew and put options. Tune in to discover the risks associated with high-frequency trading (HFT) firms in the zero-day-to-expiration market and gain insights into balance and risk management.  Explore supply and demand dynamics, black swan events, and the perspective of market makers. Gain valuable knowledge on the interplay between institutional and retail traders, the importance of diversification in building portfolios, and the comparison between systematic and discretionary approaches to investing — SEND IT! Chapters: 00:00-01:31=Intro 01:32-10:07= Leaders in Vol – Monetizing Vol, Skew vs puts & commodity Vol can’t be suppressed 10:08-26:00= The volume of ODTE options & when retail flow becomes toxic 26:01-32:55= Complexity, probability & path dependency: Building a resilient portfolio 32:56-48:43= Systematic vs discretionary, the importance of dispersion 48:44-58:54= Fixed income factors and a panel too short In case you missed it: Check out Part I of this EQD Breakdown here! Follow along on Twitter with Jason ⁠@jasoncbuck ⁠and ⁠@MutinyFunds⁠ for all updates and also check out the website ⁠mutinyfund.com⁠ for more information. Don't forget to subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Derivative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, follow us on Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rcmAlts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and our host Jeff at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AttainCap2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign-up for our blog digest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, business, or tax advice. All opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of RCM Alternatives, their affiliates, or companies featured. Due to industry regulations, participants on this podcast are instructed not to make specific trade recommendations, nor reference past or potential profits. And listeners are reminded that managed futures, commodity trading, and other alternative investments are complex and carry a risk of substantial losses. As such, they are not suitable for all investors. For more information, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcmalternatives.com/disclaimer

We're doubling down on the knowledge and taking you through the high-stakes world of Volatility with a special "Derivative Podcast" straight from the world's entertainment capital, Las Vegas. Join host Jeff Malec and our panel industry heavyweights Cem Karsan, Luke Rahbari, and Zed Francis as they delve into the intriguing market dynamics and risk management world. From the role of Volatility as an asset class to the impact of retail platforms like Robinhood and TikTok, our panelists explore the ever-evolving trading landscape. Discover the power of probabilistic decisions in options trading, uncover the significance of liquidity, and gain insights into the art of positioning for success. These experts also shed light on the challenges of managing risk in an unbalanced options market, examine the role of market makers, and analyze the implications of the Federal Reserve's actions.  This episode provides a jackpot of insight surrounding the fascinating interplay between Volatility and macroeconomics, providing valuable perspectives on inflation, fiscal policy, and market trends — SEND IT! Chapters: 00:00-01:23=Intro 01:24-12:57= Approach to Volatility & its role in a portfolio 12:58-27:32= Playing the game & options liquidity 27:33-45:32= OTDE Options, hedging your risk, & who blows out in this market? 45:33-01:05:12= Art or Science? Systematizing a strategy / Effects of hedging Vol & short-term Vol in the markets 01:05:13-01:27:13 = Opening up for questions: Constraints on the Fed, Protection on the tails, Are the giants (large funds) in control? Follow along on Twitter with Cem Karsan @jam_croissant, and Luke Rahbari @luke_rahbari for all their updates and for more information visit kaivolatility.com, equityarmorinvestments.com, & convexitas.com Don't forget to subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Derivative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, follow us on Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rcmAlts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and our host Jeff at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AttainCap2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign-up for our blog digest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, business, or tax advice. All opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of RCM Alternatives, their affiliates, or companies featured. Due to industry regulations, participants on this podcast are instructed not to make specific trade recommendations, nor reference past or potential profits. And listeners are reminded that managed futures, commodity trading, and other alternative investments are complex and carry a risk of substantial losses. As such, they are not suitable for all investors. For more information, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcmalternatives.com/disclaimer

If a replicant in the 1980s sci-fi classic Blade Runner was a genetically engineered, bio-enhanced person with para-physical capabilities, "composed entirely of organic substance," created for slave labor – what does that make Corey Hoffstein and his takes on replicating?  On this episode of The Derivative, we're joined by the model flirting, possible replicant, Corey Hoffstein, who takes us through the intricacies of replication strategies, comparing different approaches and digging deep into the pros and cons of indices vs strategies vs replication. Learn about the challenges faced by replicators in the hedge fund industry, the importance of benchmarks, and the complexities of dispersion in managed futures.  Corey and Jeff provide insights into the factors that drive trend-following performance in different markets, explore the potential of alternative markets for managers, and delve into the replication of Warren Buffett's strategy, decoding its secrets. Plus, Corey discusses risk weighting, the role of market makers in the ETF ecosystem, and the integration of AI in various domains. This conversation goes beyond robots writing catchy descriptions. Get ready to become a replicant — SEND IT! Chapters: 00:00-02:04= Intro 02:05-04:13= Babies are easy 04:14-22:20= Efforts in Replication & Leveraged equity 22:21-33:14= When did CTAs, MFs, and Trend Following, become synonymous? Explaining Dispersion 33:15-41:52= Two ways to replicate a strategy, first up: Top Down 41:53-56:07= Replicating a Strategy: Bottom Up 56:08-01:04:29= The immaculate rebalance & not everything needs to be in an ETF 01:04:30-01:10:09= Chat GPT – Good, bad, or ugly? 01:10:10-01:19:21= Word association Follow along with Corey on Twitter @choffstein and for more information on Newfound Research visit thinknewfound.com. Also make sure to check out Corey's podcasts Flirting with Models & Pirates of Finance! Don't forget to subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Derivative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, follow us on Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rcmAlts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and our host Jeff at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AttainCap2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign-up for our blog digest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, business, or tax advice. All opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of RCM Alternatives, their affiliates, or companies featured. Due to industry regulations, participants on this podcast are instructed not to make specific trade recommendations, nor reference past or potential profits. And listeners are reminded that managed futures, commodity trading, and other alternative investments are complex and carry a risk of substantial losses. As such, they are not suitable for all investors. For more information, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcmalternatives.com/disclaimer

Didn’t get the chance to head to Vegas for the Global EQD conference. No worries. We’ve got you covered. We're teaming up with the one and only Jason Buck of Mutiny Funds, he of many volatility-focused podcasts and manager of a long vol fund of funds. Together, Jeff and Jason walk through their notes from attending the annual equity derivatives-focused conference put on by the good folks at EQD. Make sure to head over to www.eqderivatives.com and signup for their official notes. Meanwhile, they go deep on many topics, from accessing commodity markets and traders in China, addressing liquidity concerns on execution desks, and exploring the nuances between variable annuities and index-linked annuity products.  Jason and Jeff delve into alternative correlated hedges with cheaper volatility, examine volatility strategies in ETFs, and analyze the role of leverage in finance. Jason also shares his hot takes on various topics, including the allure of Las Vegas to the fascinating world of greenflation and energy, where wind farms and Dr. Copper play a significant role. No EQD stone is left unturned — SEND IT! P.S. Mark your calendars for Part 2, dropping over on Jason’s Mutiny Investing podcast, where Jeff and Jason will take you even deeper into the fascinating world of finance, energy, and investments.  Chapters: 00:00-02:04= Intro  02:05-7:20= Vegas Hot takes: $200 mins = inflation, 6 to 5<> 3 to 2 07:21-21:21= Greenflation/Energy: Windfarms, Dr. Copper, Commodities, & trouble areas 21:22-40:57= Institutional Hedgers, Insurance hedging, the sticky nature of assets & finding alts with cheaper vol 40:57-59:29= Volatility in ETF Wrappers: Not all strategies are created equal with ETFs, Too small/too big, & branding matters From the episode: Check out Jason on the Mutiny podcast and make sure to subscribe to catch Part II of this episode premiering soon! Follow along on Twitter with Jason @jasoncbuck and @MutinyFunds for all updates and also check out the website mutinyfund.com for more information. Don't forget to subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Derivative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, follow us on Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rcmAlts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and our host Jeff at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AttainCap2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign-up for our blog digest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, business, or tax advice. All opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of RCM Alternatives, their affiliates, or companies featured. Due to industry regulations, participants on this podcast are instructed not to make specific trade recommendations, nor reference past or potential profits. And listeners are reminded that managed futures, commodity trading, and other alternative investments are complex and carry a risk of substantial losses. As such, they are not suitable for all investors. For more information, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcmalternatives.com/disclaimer

We’re back! Hitting first up with the question of where the current state of Commercial Real Estate is at since COVID. Is the market coming back? Were the hits too hard with everyone out of the office? We’re looking at all the aftermath with Matt Lasky of Equity Velocity Funds, where the pain points are, who kept afloat, and how the market has changed since the vacancy or ‘phantom occupancy’ of Commercial buildings. In this episode, we talk with Matt about the commercial real estate bubble bursting, inflation & debt cliff, leverage factors, new lending standards, the difference between debt and equity & the challenges of bringing on new supply in real estate. Were there any success stories in all of this mess? Find out as we dive in with Matt as he gives us a closer look at just what is going on in the current state of Commercial real estate. SEND IT! Chapters: 00:00-02:40=Intro 02:41-10:32= Commercial real estate services/wellness, growth markets & did Red States during COVID save businesses? 10:33-24:21= Big Trouble? Real estate Armageddon viewpoint: Where’s the pain? Cost of Cap, Loss of Value & Phantom occupancy 24:22-39:37= Equities getting hammered, Leverage factors, short-term living spaces & the move to SOFR 39:38-50:26= Dead funds “loan to own”, Private Credit, Yield alternatives & bringing new supply to real estate 50:27-01:06:18= Leaders in real estate, Conversions, Diversification with Managed futures & Healthcare locations 01:06:19-01:11:07= Real Estate Market Outlook Follow along with Matt on Twitter ⁠@MattLasky & check out equity.net for more information! Don't forget to subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Derivative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, follow us on Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rcmAlts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and our host Jeff at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AttainCap2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign-up for our blog digest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, business, or tax advice. All opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of RCM Alternatives, their affiliates, or companies featured. Due to industry regulations, participants on this podcast are instructed not to make specific trade recommendations, nor reference past or potential profits. And listeners are reminded that managed futures, commodity trading, and other alternative investments are complex and carry a risk of substantial losses. As such, they are not suitable for all investors. For more information, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcmalternatives.com/disclaimer