Top Traders Unplugged

The podcast dives into the latest market dynamics, featuring Katy Kaminski's research on crisis alpha and how CTA strategies adapt in turbulent times. They discuss significant shifts in investment trends, including a growing interest in long gold positions amidst economic uncertainty. The hosts also highlight the challenges of trend following during high volatility and the importance of risk management. With a mix of humor and solid insights, they provide strategies to uncover opportunities in today’s complex financial landscape.

Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin and author of "Hate the Game," shares her journey in economics and insights into behavioral economics. She discusses strategic salary negotiations and the importance of empathy in workplace dynamics. Fairweather also highlights unconscious bias in promotions and advocates for policy reforms addressing housing challenges. Her practical advice helps listeners navigate life's economic struggles while empowering them to make informed, strategic decisions amidst systemic inequalities.

In this discussion with Yoav Git, an expert in trend-following and fixed income markets, we dive into the shifting landscape of bond market volatility and its implications for investors. Yoav reveals how unexpected changes in correlations between stocks and bonds can affect trend-following strategies. He also shares insights on risk management and how Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs) adapt to market crises. The conversation highlights the importance of diversification and the challenges posed by market dynamics, making it a must-listen for investors.

Razvan Remsing, Director of Investment Solutions at Aspect Capital, dives into portable alpha strategies that are gaining traction in today's turbulent markets. He explains how a multi-asset approach can enhance portfolio performance, especially when traditional allocations falter. Listeners will discover how Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs) play a vital role in managing risk while seeking returns. With insights on the evolving landscape of investment strategies, this discussion highlights the importance of adaptability for a new generation of investors.

In this session, Richard Brennan, a seasoned trend follower who prioritizes processes over predictions, dives deep into the current market uncertainties shaping investor sentiment. He discusses the critical role of trend-following strategies amidst evolving financial landscapes and the challenges of predictive limitations in dynamic markets. Brennan also connects philosophical ideas to trading, emphasizing the significance of understanding complex adaptive systems and the interplay of technology and global dynamics, urging a disciplined approach in trading.

Mike Green, a seasoned market expert and guest on the premiere of 'You Got Options', sheds light on the explosive growth of 0DTE options and their startling impact on market dynamics. He discusses how these short-term trading strategies are reshaping volatility and the investing landscape. With vivid anecdotes from the trading floor, Green emphasizes the complex interplay between market reflexivity and the behavior of participants. He also dives into the broader implications for risk management in an era increasingly defined by rapid market shifts.

Mark Rzepczynski, a guest expert in quantitative trading, joins Alan Dunne to dissect market behaviors surrounding the pivotal 200-day moving average. They explore how this indicator can sway investor sentiment, particularly in volatile times. The duo delves into the intricacies of uncertainty versus risk and its implications on investment strategies. They also highlight the critical role of curiosity in finance and how it empowers fund managers to adapt in a rapidly changing market landscape. An engaging discussion for investors wanting insight into today's investment dynamics.

Leah Rose Downey, a Junior Research Fellow at St. John's College Cambridge and author of 'Our Money,' discusses the tension between central bank independence and democratic accountability. She questions whether it's healthy for democracy to give so much power to unelected officials and explores the historical evolution of central bank independence. Downey argues for greater legislative oversight and highlights the need for transparency in monetary policy, asserting that uncertainty can sometimes enhance economic resilience.

Alan Dunne, a guest expert on global macro perspectives, dives deep into investment wisdom gleaned from 125 years of market data. He discusses the role of patience and diversification in an era of high inflation and market concentration. The conversation turns to commodities, highlighting challenges faced by trend followers due to capacity constraints, and how these limits can impact returns. Dunne also examines the explosive growth of trend-following ETFs, emphasizing hidden costs that could affect investor outcomes.

Today, we’re diving deep into the world of CTAs and their role in investment portfolios. We discuss the balance between focusing on a single asset class versus a multi-asset approach, emphasizing that different asset classes offer unique utilities to investors. Our guests share insights from their experiences, highlighting the importance of tailored execution strategies and how technology can enhance trading performance. We also explore the growing interest from major players like Fidelity and BlackRock in trend-following strategies, raising questions about the future of CTAs in institutional portfolios. Join us as we unpack these themes and share our thoughts on the evolving landscape of systematic trading.-----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.comAnd 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 Rob on Twitter.Follow Graham on LinkedIn.Follow Yoav on LinkedIn.Find out more about DUNN CapitalEpisode Timestamps:04:02 - Introduction to Yoav Git06:16 - The background behind Graham, Rob and Yoav's relationship12:15 - What is common about people working at Man AHL?15:47 - Should you focus on single or multi asset classes?24:58 - The state and outlook for fixed income and29:47 - Liquidity and how it plays a role in alternative markets36:09 - Are investors misunderstanding liquidity?37:28 - How do you actually measure and think about liquidity?39:50 - Why are CTAs not widely represented in portfolio?49:14 - How to understand and master execution58:01 - Research and technology in systematic trading01:02:36 - "My love for you is like a magnitude 6 earthquake, your sharpe ratio makes me tremble in size"01:05:00 - Are we at a turning point for trend following?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 Here2. 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 Here3. Other Resources that can help youAnd 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 HerePrivacy PolicyDisclaimer