Resonanz Spotlight

Send us a textEveryone talks about pods and PMs in multi-manager hedge funds. But what about the Center Book?In this episode, Vincent and Saâd unpack the quiet infrastructure at the heart of every multi-manager platform — managing firm-wide risk, balancing exposures, and making the difference between a coordinated strategy and a collection of bets. They explore what it is, why it exists, and the critical questions allocators should ask during diligence.If the pods are the soloists, the Center Book is the conductor — unseen by the audience, but essential to the harmony.

Send us a textIn this episode of Resonanz Spotlight: Strategy Notes, Vincent and Saâd break down why SRTs and CLOs, often grouped under “structured credit”, are actually two very different games. They explore how banks, regulators, and investors each approach these structures, why incentives diverge, and what allocators must understand before deploying capital. In under ten minutes, this conversation demystifies the mechanics, motivations, and market dynamics that separate synthetic risk transfer from traditional CLO investing.

Send us a textIn this two-part special of Resonanz Spotlight, Vincent sits down with Chris Miller and Nick Baltas from Goldman Sachs’ Systematic Trading Strategies team to explore how option-based investing has evolved — and where it’s heading next.In Part 1, Chris Miller, Head of Equity Volatility and Derivatives Products, walks us through the transformation of volatility markets — from the explosion of 0DTE trading to what it really takes to design systematic volatility strategies that work in practice.In Part 2, Nick Baltas, Head of Cross-Asset Systematic Strategies, takes us a step further, showing how these volatility signals fit into a broader portfolio. We discuss how correlations shift, how weighting schemes evolve, and how systematic portfolios are built to last through different market regimes.Both episodes go beyond the headlines — it’s an honest, technical, and forward-looking conversation with two of the best minds in the field.

Send us a textIn this two-part special of Resonanz Spotlight, Vincent sits down with Chris Miller and Nick Baltas from Goldman Sachs’ Systematic Trading Strategies team to explore how option-based investing has evolved — and where it’s heading next.In Part 1, Chris Miller, Head of Equity Volatility and Derivatives Products, walks us through the transformation of volatility markets — from the explosion of 0DTE trading to what it really takes to design systematic volatility strategies that work in practice.In Part 2, Nick Baltas, Head of Cross-Asset Systematic Strategies, takes us a step further, showing how these volatility signals fit into a broader portfolio. We discuss how correlations shift, how weighting schemes evolve, and how systematic portfolios are built to last through different market regimes.Both episodes go beyond the headlines — it’s an honest, technical, and forward-looking conversation with two of the best minds in the field.

Send us a textWhat happens when a climate policy becomes a tradable market? Vincent sits down with Michael Azlen of Carbon Cap to unpack the rise of compliance carbon markets — a space where regulation, scarcity, and innovation meet finance. From the mechanics of cap-and-trade to the investment case behind carbon allowances, this episode reveals how emissions are turning into an entirely new asset class.

Martin Brückner, Co-founder and CIO of First Private Investment Management, dives into the world of systematic merger arbitrage. He reveals how data and algorithms can transform deal investing into a repeatable strategy, moving away from instinctual judgment. The conversation covers their four-step process of screening to execution, the criteria for selecting deals, and how they quantify qualitative risks through data. Brückner emphasizes the fusion of data science and human oversight while addressing skepticism in the investment community.

Send us a textVincent sits down with Benjamin Brodsky, CIO at BlueCove, to explore the rise of scientific credit. They discuss how data, technology, and market expertise are reshaping liquid fixed income—and what it means for investors.

Send us a textWhat does AI really mean for the future of quant investing?In this episode, Vincent sits down with Jeff Shen, PhD, Co-CIO and Co-Head of Systematic Active Equities at BlackRock, to explore how the world’s largest asset manager is scaling systematic investing through big data, machine learning, and a deep, research-driven culture.From integrating large language models into real-world investment workflows to building cross-disciplinary teams that blend engineering, finance, and academic rigor, Jeff shares candid insights on what’s working, what’s evolving, and what remains fundamentally unchanged.

Frederik Middelhoff, a quantitative strategies expert from Resonanz Capital, shares his wealth of knowledge on strategic asset allocation. He discusses bridging the gap between theory and practice for institutional investors, emphasizing actionable tools and frameworks. Topics include the limitations of mean-variance optimization, innovative risk management strategies, and the importance of aligning investment goals with stakeholder needs. Frederik's insights are a treasure trove for those looking to enhance portfolio resilience and effectiveness.

Send us a textIn this episode of Resonanz Spotlight, Vincent sits down with Polina Kurdyavko, Head of Emerging Markets Desk and Senior Portfolio Manager at RBC BlueBay, to unpack one of the most misunderstood—and mispriced—asset classes in global investing: emerging market fixed income.Polina shares her deeply personal and professional journey, starting from the aftermath of the 1998 Russian financial crisis to managing some of the most prominent EM credit portfolios today. With insights forged from two decades of crisis-tested investing, she discusses how volatility can become an opportunity and why fundamentals always matter more than the latest headline.