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Aug 21, 2025
By Simon M

Episode 42 – Laurens Bensdorp - Building Strategies with Purpose

There’s a special place in trading graveyards reserved for the back-test that looked gorgeous on paper and then detonated in production. I’ve been there. If you trade long enough, you will too. We all know the over-fittings issues, and I’ll get into that, but there’s another reason why back-tests can fail: the initial purpose is not matched to the right method. If we ask the wrong thing of the test, measure it with the wrong yardstick, or ignore how strategies behave when they’re combined (not consider portfolio impact), then failure is likely. Laurens Bensdorp has a major focus on this – nicely summarised as building strategies with purpose.
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May 07, 2025
By Simon M

038 - Andrea Unger - 672% Returns? Sure! Would You Like Some Risk with That?

Finishing our little mini-series on shorter-term futures trading we talk to Andrea Unger and happily inject some click-bait in the form of gloating about his 672% return in a single year when he won the World Trading Competition. Naturally, we know that this kind of return is generated by specifically trying to win the comp, and taking on the associated risks! If you've been asleep the first two guests in this series were Bob Pardo and Kevin Davey. Between the three we've got a complete masterclass in shorter-term, diversified and responsive futures trading!
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Apr 24, 2025
By Simon M

037 - Kevin Davey Part II - Selecting Optimal Strategies for Peak Performance

Kevin’s systematic approach melds rigorous quantitative testing with pragmatic risk management and monthly maintenance protocols. By enforcing single-pass optimizations, extensive real-time validation, and lean portfolio sizes, he constructs a robust trading framework designed for consistency and longevity. Advanced traders can draw from his workshop principles to refine strategy design, navigate common back-testing pitfalls, and build diversified, adaptive portfolios capable of weathering market uncertainties.
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Apr 18, 2025
By Simon M

036 - Kevin Davey Part I - It's All About Process in Algo Trading

In the cutthroat world of algorithmic futures trading, a structured process is non-negotiable. Kevin Davey’s approach—defining objectives, rigorous validation via walk-forward and Monte Carlo methods, live incubation, and proactive portfolio management—offers advanced quantitative traders a framework to thrive. By blending engineering precision with market adaptability, his methodology underscores that success lies not just in the strategies themselves, but in the disciplined process behind them.
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Mar 30, 2025
By Simon M

035 - Bob Pardo Part II - Building Trading Strategies that Work with Walk Forward Analysis - Part 2 of 2

I had a thought this week about what constitutes my "trading edge". You know, the question every trader is expected to be able to answer. It's supposed to constitute some kind of evidence that you can out-perform the market, your peers, or whatever. Something Bob Pardo mentioned made me think differently about this when he reminded me that when trading pits were around, every trader "had to have their edge" to stay ahead of the other guy or gal. Back then, on the floor, it was necessary to have some kind of "insider knowledge" so to speak in order to carve out success.
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Mar 19, 2025
By Simon M

034 - Bob Pardo Part I - Intra-Day, High-Octane, Robust Futures Trading

Of the biggest problems quantitative traders probably face, the first is no-doubt over-optimization and the second is likely finding inspiration for new ideas. In-depth interviews with market wizards surely has to be one of the best ways to learn quickly, avoid common pitfalls and find untold amounts of inspiration hidden between the lines. Listening to experts that have been at it for decades, for me anyway, is an incredible education.
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Feb 19, 2025
By Simon M

033 - Rob Carver - The Comprehensive Guide to a Diversified Futures Strategy

In this episode, seasoned trader Rob Carver shared his nuanced approach to building and managing a diversified futures portfolio—a methodology that appeals to advanced, technical traders, while we also covered off some of the 'basics' of futures trading, such as rolling, back-adjusting, and so on. I did my best to break down the key elements of his strategy, from market selection to dynamic optimization and continuous trading. A couple of interesting things came up, there's a lot of detail in here, and luckily you can go to his blog and books for all the technical detail. For the long-term futures trader with a smaller account, this is essential listening. How much diversification across markets and models is enough? How can we capture the benefits of this diversification with a limited account size? Rob has innovative approaches to both market diversification and model diversification to generate a highly capital efficient approach.
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Jan 24, 2025
By Simon M

032 - Dr Ernest Chan - The Breakthrough Uses of Machine Learning in Risk Management

It was strangely comforting talking to Ernie Chan. Whilst I was completely out of my depth talking about AI and Machine Learning, I came away broadly reinforced in my own belief that great trading still requires a human touch, and that the best niche's in the market are best discovered by applying a certain kind of wisdom, experience and competitive approach. The machine learning techniques and computer power needed to make them work are, however, quickly catching up, so how long we have is anyone's guess.
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Dec 13, 2024
By Simon M

031 - PJ Sutherland - The Complementary Dynamics of Mean Reversion and Trend-Following Strategies

In the domain of quantitative finance, the juxtaposition of mean reversion and trend-following strategies constitutes a pivotal dialogue in the formulation of robust trading paradigms. Each methodology is underpinned by unique theoretical and empirical foundations, presenting distinct opportunities and inherent vulnerabilities. However, when synthesized within a cohesive portfolio framework, these strategies reveal a profound synergy that not only enhances diversification but also attenuates systemic risks. This discourse delves into the nuances of each strategy and elucidates their integrative potential.
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Dec 05, 2024
By Simon M

030 - Wayne Himelsein - Trading from the Bunker

In our latest interview, Wayne Himelsein, President and CIO of Logica Capital Advisors, shared profound insights into the intricate dance between human expertise and systematic trading strategies. Himelsein highlighted how his firm integrates quantitative rigor with adaptive human oversight to create resilient, long-volatility-focused strategies.
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Nov 20, 2024
By The Algo Advantage

029 - Jason Buck - Mutiny Funds - Building a Cockroach Portfolio

The concept of the “Cockroach Portfolio” is a novel take on building a robust investment strategy that thrives across diverse market conditions. Drawing inspiration from one of nature's most resilient creatures, this approach emphasizes adaptability, diversification, and risk mitigation. Jason Buck runs Mutiny Funds with a core belief that: “Offense wins games. Defense wins championships.” Mutiny’s version of a diversified, all-weather portfolio therefore combines defensive-minded strategies, such as long volatility and trend, with offensive-minded strategies, such as stocks and bonds. Ensuring survival, and reducing draw-downs through time, provides the best opportunity for long-term capital growth. This show is all about risk management. If you don’t know what ergodicity is, or how you can drown in a river that is 2 feet deep on average, listen in.
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Oct 08, 2024
By The Algo Advantage

028 - Eric Crittenden - A Portfolio for All Seasons

One of the standout points from Eric’s approach is the focus on constructing a durable, all-weather portfolio. Eric designed his fund with the idea that it should be able to endure the most uncertain future scenarios, a goal he finds essential for long-term wealth preservation. His strategy blends managed futures, global equities, and laddered treasury bills, with a focus on equal risk contribution across futures & equities. Eric emphasizes simplicity and robustness over complexity, believing that this provides the best opportunity for consistent performance in both good times and bad.
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