Is Alpha Dead or Changing?

No one credible ever said that investing was a simple endeavour. It might have some simple guidelines, that if followed are more likely to yield positive results, but the ins and outs of the markets, decisions and their impacts, movements and crashes are never straightforward one-dimensional cases. Our guest today, Cliff Asness, really brings this point to bear, showing the nuance and multiplicity of all the topics we discuss. As the experienced owner of AQR and a wealth of knowledge and insight, Cliff shares a host of ideas and thoughts on as many topics as we have time for. We start off the chat talking about market efficiency before moving into the murky waters of value. We hold value investing to be sound, as does Cliff, yet the last few years have stretched even our commitment to this philosophy a little. The perspective that Cliff is able to share, drawing from his formative years in the investing world in the '90s is invaluable and a lot of what we talk about gets contrasted to the tech bubble of that period. The conversation also covers the size of stocks and portfolio allocation. Although Cliff has strong opinions on most of these issues he does a great job of showing the lack of definitive answers to any one of them, allowing space for new knowledge and outlying evidence to make its mark. We also get into finding the right kind of investor for your own style and goals, the role of good communication in finance and the influential article that Cliff wrote about 'pulling the goalie'. In it, Cliff lays out what the data tells us about certain late-stage situations in which it is statistically wise to make more risky choices. For all of this and a fabulously entertaining conversation, listen in with us today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Cliff's perspective on market efficiency and the impact on his portfolios. [0:03:48.5]
• Value investing in today's climate where value has taken such a knock. [0:08:30.8]
• Stories and behavioural effects on value; how we understand ups and downs. [0:13:36.2]
• Conversations Cliff has had with clients in the tougher times. [0:21:04.5]
• Comparing the companies driving growth now with those in the '90s. [0:23:46.2]
• The size effect and why Cliff does not subscribe to this philosophy. [0:25:17.1]
• 60/40 portfolios; are they still alive? Why Cliff thinks you can do better! [0:33:07.7]
• Cliff's experiences with institutions and advisors and contrasting the two. [0:36:31.5]
• Informed decisions on who to invest with; thoughts on finding the right advisor. [0:38:28.7]
• Pulling the goalie and why risky behaviour can work in certain circumstances. [0:40:42.5]
• The value of communication skills in the game of financial advising. [0:47:29.7]
• How Cliff defines success for his own life! [0:50:07.9]