

The Derivative
RCM Alternatives
Welcome to The Derivative by RCM Alternatives, where we dive into what makes alternative investments go, analyze the strategies of unique hedge fund managers, and chat with interesting guests from across the investment world. Hosted by RCM Managing Partner, Jeff Malec, join us to take a ride through the world of alternative investments.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 8, 2024 • 1h 27min
Advanced Hedge Fund Replication with the Top Down – riding diverse ETF modeling flows with DBi’s Andrew Beer
Welcome to the start of a new year and another exciting season of The Derivative Podcast. We're beginning with a bang, featuring DBi’s hedge fund guru, Andrew Beer. Picture the ideal blend of Wall Street expertise and accessible insights - that's what we're delivering in this episode! We’re talking with Andrew about replicating strategies in this episode and if it works.
Andrew is sharing his journey, from establishing a commodity firm to making groundbreaking strides in the hedge fund world, where he adds flavor with personal anecdotes from his financial adventures, diving into private equity and managed futures investing - providing beta for those managed futures, replicating hedge fund performance with the help of ETFs, using managed futures as a diversification strategy, unveiling his creative methods to revolutionize investing. We come at all angles in this one, questioning the risks and limitations of replication, utilizing different markets to expanding portfolios, and even getting into the “whipsaw” effect many trend followers saw last year with its unpredictable events. This episode is a feast for finance enthusiasts and newcomers - filled with knowledge, humor, and a whole lot of excitement. Don't just listen; Turn up the volume and brace yourself for an episode that's as fun as it is informative — SEND IT!
Chapters:
00:00-03:17= Intro
03:18-9:55= Commodities to Private Equity
9:56-24:54= You’re not a Quant, replicating models and finding your vision
24:55-49:05= Where’s the line? MF against everyone else, asset
allocation limitations and modeling flows
49:06-01:08:51= Top down, bottom up: The structure, the drivers and year of the whipsaw
01:08:52-01:19:14= 10 markets expanding your portfolio
01:19:15-01:27:27= Limits of replication & the dangers of private
equity
From the episode:
Replicating Babies, Trend following, hedge funds, and Warren
Buffet with Corey Hoffstein
https://dbi.co/news-research/
Follow along with Andrew on Twitter @andrewdbeer1, LinkedIn and visit DBi's website at dbi.co/ 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

Nov 16, 2023 • 1h 7min
Marrying Fundamental Factors into Commodity Quant with Patrik Safvenblad of VOLT CM
Join us as we delve into the unique flavors of managed futures and fundamental expertise with Patrik Safvenblad of VOLT Capital Management. Explore the differences between pod shops and in-house multi-strats, the meticulous process of managing over 9000 signals, and the importance of incorporating fundamental factors into trading. Gain invaluable insights into quantitative strategies just in time for the Holiday season!

Nov 9, 2023 • 1h 6min
A brief history of Corn, food co valuations, GMO vs non GMO, and a guacable chip with Zack’s Mighty founder Zack Gazzaniga
Get ready to savor an episode of The Derivative that's anything but run-of-the-(corn) mill, featuring a guest who's serving up some fresh and unconventional perspectives. That's right, we're delving into the heart of the snack world where the notion of sturdy, thick chips and delicate, thin chips is more than meets the eye. Prepare to have the simplicity of your favorite tortilla chip upended, revealing the captivating intricacies that fuel everyone’s favorite salsa, guac, and queso vehicle, the tortilla chip.
Zack Gazzaniga, is the visionary behind Zack's Mighty Tortillas, a company rewriting the rulebook on what it means to be a tortilla chip. His entrepreneurial journey takes us from the humble beginnings of a small natural food startup to helping build a 60-SKU condiment brand at Sir Kensington's. Throughout this episode, he generously shares his insights on expanding product lines, managing complex supply chains, and navigating deals with corporate giants. But that’s the boring business stuff… stay for the talk on seed hunting in Italy, making tortillas, then chips – how many growing cycles our US soil has left, the many nuances in GMO vs non-GMO labeling, and the informative history of Corn you didn’t know you needed. This episode is a must-listen for fellow entrepreneurs and tortilla chip lovers – SEND IT!
Chapters:
00:00-01:39= Intro
01:40-11:50= Buongiorno! Let’s talk: Origins, Sir Kensington’s, flavor, & the guacable chip
11:51-25:19= Economic building blocks, Investing in food, CAP-X deals, & intense integration
25:20-36:29= A brief history of corn: Quest for the golden kernel
36:30-50:24= The tortilla chip: From field to bag & Going organic – why it makes sense
50:25-01:01:41= Ethanol? Water? Growing and production
concerns / Short-corn & gene editing
01:01:42-01:06:03= Where do we get them? & the Takis people...
From the episode:
Beautiful Corn: America’s Original grain from seed to plate (Book)
Don't call it private equity, seeking value (and tax alpha) in small business with Adam Tkaczuk
Follow along with Zack's Mighty on LinkedIn and Facebook! For more information on Zack's Mighty tortilla's chips and where to find them visit zacksmighty.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

Oct 26, 2023 • 1h 8min
Trend Following Asset Allocations with Jon Robinson of Blueprint
Jon Robinson, CEO and co-founder of Blueprint Investment Partners, shares insights on trend-following asset allocations, the evolution of portfolio management, and the future of the investment advisor space. Topics include: trend following as a filter on other investments, managing client preferences and portfolio strategies, challenges with private funds, and the future impact of blockchain and AI in delivering financial advice.

Oct 5, 2023 • 1h 6min
Systematic Commodity Trading (without Trend) with Jae-Min Hyun of NWOne
Explore the intricacies of building a systematic commodity trading strategy using fundamental inputs, the importance of risk management, and the role of machine learning. Discover the challenges of navigating this dynamic market and the complexities of this niche within the world of finance. Gain valuable perspectives for both seasoned traders and those seeking to understand commodity trading nuances.

Sep 28, 2023 • 1h 17min
A Philly Alts Steak: Talking Commodities, Stacking, and Systematic with Auspice, Newfound & Campbell
Philadelphia is renowned for various iconic symbols, including the Liberty Bell, Rocky Balboa, the famous Philly cheesesteak, and, most recently, RCM's Live Panel Discussion "Is 60/40 Dead? Can Alternatives Fill the Void?" This engaging panel discussion features industry leaders Tim Pickering, Corey Hoffstein, and Brian Meloon, with the insightful Kevin Davitt giving an insightful intro. It was so compelling that we decided to turn it into an episode of the Derivative podcast.
We kick off our discussion by diving into the rapidly evolving landscape of the index options market and the financial industry as a whole. Explore the critical role of adaptability in the face of exponential technological advancements, with a spotlight on NASDAQ's MDX options leading the way.
But there's more! Tim Pickering, Corey Hoffstein, and Brian Meloon share pivotal moments from their careers, emphasizing the importance of innovation during challenging periods. We'll also delve into quantitative investing strategies, the intriguing concept of return stacking in ETFs, and why diversification is necessary in your investment portfolio — SEND IT!
Chapters:
00:00-01:31 = Intro
01:32-14:18 = Adapting to a changing landscape with Kevin Davitt
14:19-22:24 = Introductions: Ah Ha! moments – what got you in
the industry
22:25-36:38 = Adapting to market shifts
36:39-43:39 = Why should you care?
43:40-59:43 = What are investors looking for – Why
Commodities? Why Systematic? Why Leverage?
59:44-01:04:25 = Why now?
01:04:26-01:17:17 = Open for questions
From the episode:
Flirting with Models podcast
Liquidity Cascades – Newfound Research
Follow along with Tim Pickering on Twitter @AuspiceTim, Corey Hoffstein @choffstein and Brian Meloon on LinkedIn
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

Sep 21, 2023 • 1h 6min
Opportunities in Option Mutual Funds with Russ Kellites
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.

Sep 14, 2023 • 51min
Long/Short Commodities with Emil van Essen & Bryan Kiernan of Katonah/EVE
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.

Aug 31, 2023 • 1h 1min
Portfolios of Power Futures with AMPD ETF’s Tim Kramer
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.

Jul 27, 2023 • 1h 11min
Why Systematic? Why CTA? Why Now? A panel event with Mercer, Campbell, EMC Capital, & Resolve
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


