In commodity trading, where volatility reigns supreme, finding an edge can be daunting. In this episode of The Derivative, we switch up our normal Commodity Trading talk with our non-trend following guest, Jae-Min Hyun of NWOne. With extensive experience in commodities trading and a quant background that spans Wall Street firms, hedge funds, and a new talent incubator, Jae-Min brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.
Join us as we explore the intricate intricacies of building a systematic commodity trading strategy using fundamental inputs instead of just price, why inefficiencies equal edge, the importance of risk management, the role of machine learning, and the rest of the challenges of navigating this dynamic market. Jae-Min Hyun's insights shed light on the complexities of this niche within the world of finance, offering valuable perspectives for both seasoned traders and those seeking to understand the nuances of commodity trading — SEND IT!
Chapters:
00:00-01:32= Intro
01:33-15:49= NYC is wet, but back! An early start at Morgan Stanley constructing commodities & building Quants
15:50-29:25= Exacting Alpha in inefficiencies, market fundamentals, directional futures & diversification
29:26-43:20= Calendar spreads (delivering exposure) and all models working in concert
43:21-54:04= Why only commodities? Research, systematic strategies & the competition
54:05-01:05:46= Commodity exposure, alpha generation & A.I. in quant trading
From the episode:
NWOne Diversified Strategy
The Predictors - Book
Semi-Annual Rankings Whitepaper
Follow along with Jae-Min on LinkedIn and for more information visit NWOne's website www.nwone-llc.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 5, 2023
1 hr 5 min
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 28, 2023
1 hr 17 min
In the ever-evolving world of finance, change is the only constant. Like the shifting tides of the market, options trading has transformed from monthly expirations to weekly and even daily strikes. It's like going from a leisurely stroll to a thrilling daily marathon in the world of trading. Alongside these shifts, hedging strategies have also had to adapt, especially after the rollercoaster ride that was 2018.
On this episode of The Derivative, we're taking you on a journey through the financial landscape with none other than Russ Kellites from Alpha Centric Funds. From the intriguing story of San Francisco's economic landscape to the evolution of computer science and AI, to the transition from Goldman Sachs to starting a fund - we're covering it all — SEND IT!
Chapters:
00:00-01:42= Intro
01:43-10:23= Hard hits in San Fran & Building blocks of A.I.
12:24-22:21= Hitching a ride w/ Warren Buffet & Designing a Fund
22:22-39:17= Diversifying Options & the 4/5 Quadrants of Volatility
39:18-53:07= Market Environments (Long & Short positions)
53:08-59:41= Market Participation
59:42-01:05:22= The value of time: It’s a long-term investment
From the episode:
Portfolios of Power Futures with Tim Kramer
LJM – The Autopsy
Follow along with Russ on LinkedIn and for more information visit alphacentricfunds.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
Sep 21, 2023
1 hr 5 min
From front-running commodity index rolls to trading spreads, we're taking you on a bit of a historic journey with Emil Van Essen and Bryan Kiernan of Katonah Eve. Join us as we explore the evolution of their strategies and firm, while talking the world of commodities.
In this episode, we'll uncover the evolution of Katonah Eve, from pulling data ahead of the game to mastering roll yields and transitioning into the world of spread trading. We'll also discuss what it takes to survive so long in this business, going institutional for in-house operations, and how they have more than just skin in the game, they’re putting skin in the the pre-game as well to test new sources of Alpha.
We unpack what makes their Long/Short Commodity strategy different, and how long/short differs from trend, and explore topics like term structure, spread trading and data, the importance of diversification, and the importance of testing ideas with live ammunition. And we can’t talk with Emil without talking about the energy patch, the crypto space, and China – all of which we touch on. SEND IT!
Chapters:
00:00-01:57= Intro
01:58-4:38= Mountain Bike Racing?
3:56-15:35= Evolution of EVE: Pulling data ahead of the game & Roll yields to spread trading
15:36-22:38= Expanding in-house infrastructure, market making, and the constant search for Alpha
22:39-37:15= Long/short Commodities, Term structure, Spread
vs Trend & Diversification in Commodity markets
37:16-50:34= The Energy guy, Alpha in Crypto & inside China
From the episode:
Crude Oil goes negative…What ^%$# - Derivative podcast
Follow along with Emil and Bryan on LinkedIn 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
Sep 14, 2023
50 min
Is electricity a commodity? If not, why not? If so, how do you get exposure with the demand for electricity set to possibly outstrip the world's forthcoming technological advancements. Join us on a high energy episode of The Derivative by RCM Alternatives for an in-depth exploration of "Electrifying America" with Timothy Kramer, a seasoned energy and power trader and CEO of CNIC Funds – the group behind the AMPD electricity ETF. In this stimulating conversation, Kramer sheds light on the difficulties of accessing the power market, why electricity should be part of any inflation-protecting commodity investments, and what the overall landscape looks like for America's electrification journey, unveiling three key pillars: importance, inflation, and imbalance.
From the coming era of all-electric vehicles to the challenges facing renewable energy, Kramer navigates the complexities and opportunities. He also delves into the creation of innovative indices and the dynamic interplay between power and commodities — SEND IT!
Chapters:
00:00-01:53 = Intro
01:54-03:53 = Texas is How Big?
03:54-17:38= The Electrification of America, Power’s Supply/Demand
17:39-23:48= ESG push back & removing carbon = Carbon Neutral
23:49-36:47= Creating an Index- AMPD: Deregulation, power
generation & retail providers
36:48-44:12= The power players in the power market
44:13-54:23= Carbon offset vetting and commodity exposure
54:24-01:00:42 = Is Bitcoin mining a legit use on power grids?
From the episode:
The Electrification of America
https://www.cnicfunds.com/
The Kaoboy of convertible Arb with Michael Kao Derivative episode
Super storms, mathematical modeling, and hurricane hunting with Dr. Jeff Masters Derivative episode
Follow along with Timothy on LinkedIn and check out all the links above 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
Aug 31, 2023
1 hr
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
Jul 27, 2023
1 hr 11 min
What do you do when you’ve already done everything there is to do in trend. Managed billion of dollars: check. One of first to run a trend following mutual fund: check. Trend following on individual equities:
check. You push the envelope again, and convince the folks that create ETFs that you actually can pack your fully diversified equities plus futures portfolio into an ETF wrapper. On this episode of The Derivative, we sit down with the legendary Jerry Parker, a former Turtle Trader who’s newest effort is an ETF product called ‘Trend Following Plus Nothing’.
Jerry and Jeff explore a wide range of topics, including whether multi-billion CTAs sold their (trend) souls to get there, just why nobody really tries to trend follow on individual equity names. Seeing a green light when they tell you it can’t be done. Jerry also opens up about finding the perfect balance of personal risk and mental fortitude to achieve success in trend following while sharing some personal anecdotes, including his love for pet birds.
Discover the power of trading components instead of an index of components, the impact of Fed limits on trend, and the intricacies of volatility targeting (hint: Jerry doesn’t believe in it). We'll also delve into the art of portfolio construction, the virtue of trend following impatience, the true essence of trend following as an inflationary hedge, and so much more — SEND IT.
Chapters:
00:00-02:00=Intro
02:01-04:50= No birds allowed on Long Island, NY
04:51-16:38= The journey creating the new ETF needed diversification
16:39-30:02= Replication – what’s your limit?
Hard=Simple/Simple=Hard
30:03-41:45= Market Makers, Outlier Moves, and what’s deserving of your portfolio
41:46-48:50=Embracing the Trend Following philosophy
48:51-01:00:02= The narrow road taken
01:00:03-01:03:29= Trend following+nothing
From the episode:
The Swiss(Franc) isn’t all that neutral – blog post
Trend Following Turtle Tails (and Tales) with Jerry Parker - podcast
Check out our Trend Following whitepaper!
Follow along with Jerry on Twitter @rjparkerjr09 and visit ChesapeakeCapital.com 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
Jul 20, 2023
1 hr 3 min
Jason Buck is back in this follow-up, Part II episode rehashing all the goings on at Global EQD '23, and he's continuing the conversation on equity market hedging, not to mention interest rate, currency, and more hedging – plus volatility markets and investment strategies with host Jeff Malec.
Jason and Jeff discuss what was discussed, including the influence of Fed policy, abnormally low volatility in equities, cross-asset volatility, and the relationship between skew and put options. Tune in to discover the risks associated with high-frequency trading (HFT) firms in the
zero-day-to-expiration market and gain insights into balance and risk
management.
Explore supply and demand dynamics, black swan events, and the perspective of market makers. Gain valuable knowledge on the interplay between institutional and retail traders, the importance of diversification in building portfolios, and the comparison between systematic and discretionary approaches to investing — SEND IT!
Chapters:
00:00-01:31=Intro
01:32-10:07= Leaders in Vol – Monetizing Vol, Skew vs puts & commodity Vol can’t be suppressed
10:08-26:00= The volume of ODTE options & when retail flow becomes toxic
26:01-32:55= Complexity, probability & path dependency: Building a resilient portfolio
32:56-48:43= Systematic vs discretionary, the importance of dispersion
48:44-58:54= Fixed income factors and a panel too short
In case you missed it: Check out Part I of this EQD Breakdown here!
Follow along on Twitter with Jason @jasoncbuck and @MutinyFunds for all updates and also check out the website mutinyfund.com 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
Jul 13, 2023
58 min
We're doubling down on the knowledge and taking you through the high-stakes world of Volatility with a special "Derivative Podcast" straight from the world's entertainment capital, Las Vegas. Join host Jeff Malec and our panel industry heavyweights Cem Karsan, Luke Rahbari, and Zed Francis as they delve into the intriguing market dynamics and risk management world.
From the role of Volatility as an asset class to the impact of retail platforms like Robinhood and TikTok, our panelists explore the ever-evolving trading landscape. Discover the power of probabilistic decisions in options trading, uncover the significance of liquidity, and gain insights into the art of positioning for success. These experts also shed light on the challenges of managing risk in an unbalanced options market, examine the role of market makers, and analyze the implications
of the Federal Reserve's actions.
This episode provides a jackpot of insight surrounding the fascinating interplay between Volatility and macroeconomics, providing valuable perspectives on inflation, fiscal policy, and market trends — SEND IT!
Chapters:
00:00-01:23=Intro
01:24-12:57= Approach to Volatility & its role in a portfolio
12:58-27:32= Playing the game & options liquidity
27:33-45:32= OTDE Options, hedging your risk, & who blows out in this market?
45:33-01:05:12= Art or Science? Systematizing a strategy / Effects of hedging Vol & short-term Vol in the markets
01:05:13-01:27:13 = Opening up for questions: Constraints on the Fed, Protection on the tails, Are the giants (large funds) in control?
Follow along on Twitter with Cem Karsan @jam_croissant, and Luke Rahbari @luke_rahbari for all their updates and for more information visit kaivolatility.com, equityarmorinvestments.com, & convexitas.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
Jun 29, 2023
1 hr 27 min
If a replicant in the 1980s sci-fi classic Blade Runner was a genetically engineered, bio-enhanced person with para-physical capabilities, "composed entirely of organic substance," created for slave labor – what does that make Corey Hoffstein and his takes on replicating? On this episode of The Derivative, we're joined by the model flirting, possible replicant, Corey Hoffstein, who takes us through the intricacies of replication strategies, comparing different approaches and digging deep into the pros and cons of indices vs strategies vs replication. Learn about the challenges faced by replicators in the hedge fund industry, the
importance of benchmarks, and the complexities of dispersion in managed futures.
Corey and Jeff provide insights into the factors that drive trend-following performance in different markets, explore the potential of alternative markets for
managers, and delve into the replication of Warren Buffett's strategy, decoding its secrets. Plus, Corey discusses risk weighting, the role of market makers in
the ETF ecosystem, and the integration of AI in various domains. This conversation goes beyond robots writing catchy descriptions. Get ready to become a replicant — SEND IT!
Chapters:
00:00-02:04= Intro
02:05-04:13= Babies are easy
04:14-22:20= Efforts in Replication & Leveraged equity
22:21-33:14= When did CTAs, MFs, and Trend Following, become synonymous? Explaining Dispersion
33:15-41:52= Two ways to replicate a strategy, first up: Top Down
41:53-56:07= Replicating a Strategy: Bottom Up
56:08-01:04:29= The immaculate rebalance & not everything needs to be in an ETF
01:04:30-01:10:09= Chat GPT – Good, bad, or ugly?
01:10:10-01:19:21= Word association
Follow along with Corey on Twitter @choffstein and for more information on Newfound Research visit thinknewfound.com. Also make sure to check out Corey's podcasts Flirting with Models & Pirates of Finance!
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
Jun 15, 2023
1 hr 19 min
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