ALO33: The Psychology Behind Better Asset Allocation ft. Aoifinn Devitt
Top Traders Unplugged
Institutional vs Private Wealth Portfolio Differences
Aoifinn explains similarities and differences in portfolio construction between institutions and high-net-worth clients.
In this episode, Alan Dunne speaks with Aoifinn Devitt about what it really means to build resilient portfolios in a world of shifting regimes and competing narratives. Drawing on experience across pensions, hedge fund advisory, and private wealth, Aoifinn reflects on how institutional lessons translate to individual investors. The conversation explores the role of diversification, the evolving case for private markets, and the limitations of labels such as hedge funds, factors, or alternative assets. Along the way, they discuss the behavioral traps that influence allocators, the challenges of manager selection, and why outcome based investing may offer a clearer framework for navigating uncertain markets.
-----
50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE
-----
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.com
And 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 Aoifinn on LinkedIn.
Episode TimeStamps:
02:16 - Introducing Aoifinn Devitt and her background
03:14 - From corporate law to a career in finance
05:16 - Institutional vs private wealth portfolio construction
09:47 - How macro regimes influence asset allocation
12:53 - Rethinking the endowment model and private markets
15:32 - Private credit and diversification challenges
18:13 - Total portfolio approach vs traditional allocation
21:27 - Bonds, equities, and changing correlations
27:52 - Concentration risk and the dominance of mega cap stocks
37:33 - The evolving role of hedge funds in portfolios
42:35 - Gold, commodities, and inflation protection
46:23 - Behavioral biases and long term market cycles
57:35 - Advice for young professionals entering finance
Copyright © 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 Here
2. 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 Here
3. Other Resources that can help you
And 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 Here
The AI-powered Podcast Player
