This episode is a fascinating deep dive into the complex world of logistics. Our guest is Chris Jamroz, CEO of Roadrunner, a serial logistics entrepreneur who has indeed seen and done it all over his career. Chris provides colorful anecdotes about his past 100+ acquisitions and turnarounds, including the challenges and lessons learned along the way. He then gives listeners an up-close look at his current ventures - Roadrunner, an LTL shipping company known for its blazing-fast delivery speeds, a...
Mar 14, 2024•51 min
Brent Belote, founder and CIO of Cayler Capital, joins the podcast to discuss the growth of his now 5 year systematic oil trading strategy. He provides insights into analyzing supply and demand fundamentals and using quantitative models to capitalize on events in the physical oil market. Brent also shares lessons from starting his own fund and managing risk at a smaller scale. Hear about trends in the energy sector, including the impact of geopolitics, refining capacity, and green-flation (just ...
Mar 07, 2024•48 min
Join us for the second half of our panel discussions during this year's Hedge Fund week in Miami as we explore increasing accessibility of alternative investments through new ETF products and strategies. We’ve got Rodrigo Gordillo taking reigns from the quantitative perspective, Jerry Parker talking trend following, Bob Elliot on replication and Jay Pestrichelli, options guru, guiding us through hedge fund strategies, discussing their day-to-day responsibilities and tasks, highlighting differenc...
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr 8 min
From NASA to Star Trek, Brad Barrie and David Johnson of Dynamic Wealth Group discuss how their shared interests inspired the development of their diversified mutual fund, which blends equity exposure with discretionary global macro allocations. They explain how this approach seeks to provide smoother returns through non-correlated exposures. Brad and David also delve into their backgrounds in aerospace, finance, and alternative investments. Tune in to learn how discretionary macro strategies ca...
Feb 22, 2024•1 hr 3 min
This packed panel discussion featuring Tim Pickering (Auspice), Brent Belote (Cayler Capital), Gerardo Tarricone (Arion) and Derek Stroke (Equanimity Advisors) focused on commodities as diversifiers and opportunities in commodity trading and investing. Our panelists discussed topics like the reliability of commodities in portfolios, ESG factors, the potential for a commodity supercycle, and educating the next generation of commodity investors. They debated drivers of long-term commodity prices a...
Feb 15, 2024•1 hr
Welcome to the start of a new year and another exciting season of The Derivative Podcast. We're beginning with a bang, featuring DBi’s hedge fund guru, Andrew Beer. Picture the ideal blend of Wall Street expertise and accessible insights - that's what we're delivering in this episode! We’re talking with Andrew about replicating strategies in this episode and if it works. Andrew is sharing his journey, from establishing a commodity firm to making groundbreaking strides in the hedge fund world, wh...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 27 min
Thanksgiving is just a week away in the US, marking the end of an excellent year for The Derivative and we're inviting you to join us at the podcast table for a bountiful episode delving into the unique flavors of managed futures and fundamental expertise. As we carve into the Thanksgiving spirit, The Derivative is serving up a feast of insights with Patrik Safvenblad, the mastermind behind VOLT Capital Management. In this compelling conversation, Patrik unveils his approach as a fundamental spe...
Nov 16, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Get ready to savor an episode of The Derivative that's anything but run-of-the-(corn) mill, featuring a guest who's serving up some fresh and unconventional perspectives. That's right, we're delving into the heart of the snack world where the notion of sturdy, thick chips and delicate, thin chips is more than meets the eye. Prepare to have the simplicity of your favorite tortilla chip upended, revealing the captivating intricacies that fuel everyone’s favorite salsa, guac, and queso vehicle, the...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 6 min
In the constantly changing and often unpredictable industry that is wealth management, is it possible to systematize an asset allocation approach? Might you even apply trend following to the problem? On this episode of The Derivative, Jon Robinson, the CEO and co-founder of Blueprint Investment Partners, draws upon his unique experience on both sides of the trend-following fence: proprietor and customer. He reflects on his early days working on the New York Stock Exchange floor and delves into t...
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr 8 min
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 comm...
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 6 min
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 di...
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 financia...
Sep 21, 2023•1 hr 6 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 th...
Sep 14, 2023•51 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 difficu...
Aug 31, 2023•1 hr 1 min
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 in...
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 new...
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 t...
Jul 13, 2023•59 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...
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 th...
Jun 15, 2023•1 hr 19 min
Didn’t get the chance to head to Vegas for the Global EQD conference. No worries. We’ve got you covered. We're teaming up with the one and only Jason Buck of Mutiny Funds, he of many volatility-focused podcasts and manager of a long vol fund of funds. Together, Jeff and Jason walk through their notes from attending the annual equity derivatives-focused conference put on by the good folks at EQD. Make sure to head over to www.eqderivatives.com and signup for their official notes. Meanwhile, they ...
Jun 08, 2023•59 min
We’re back! Hitting first up with the question of where the current state of Commercial Real Estate is at since COVID. Is the market coming back? Were the hits too hard with everyone out of the office? We’re looking at all the aftermath with Matt Lasky of Equity Velocity Funds, where the pain points are, who kept afloat, and how the market has changed since the vacancy or ‘phantom occupancy’ of Commercial buildings. In this episode, we talk with Matt about the commercial real estate bubble burst...
Jun 01, 2023•1 hr 11 min
We’re back in the trend space this week, diving into the pros and cons of classic trend following, as well as exploring new methods of trend, including building new “markets” with calendar spread data and trying to reduce the infamous trend open trade give backs with some option trades. Not to mention some talk on how investors have gone soft in their desire for low vol. Jeff sits down with Moritz Seibert, the CEO of Takahē Capital, to talk about the rise of conditional payouts and payments, the...
May 11, 2023•1 hr 17 min
How fast is the fast moving world of AI moving after the launch of Chat GPT and crazy pace of new apps and tools. It turns out…. Really Fast! There’s AI tools that can write blog posts, create images, act like a hedge fund lawyer, review a disclosure document, and more. All of it brings up many questions. Are we living in a world where these AI machines take over our jobs? Can we expect better market research, analytics, trading signals, and alpha? Can humans and AI coexist in the finance indust...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 31 min
How do you get a job at a top quant shop? With a little love from grandma?! How do you navigate a systematic strategy in the fast-moving world of digital assets? On this episode of The Derivative, Sarah Schroeder of Coinbase Asset Management (formerly One River Digital) covers a range of topics related to crypt/digital assets, including the formation and vision of One River Digital, its purchase by Coinbase, the importance of counterparty risk management, trend-following and directional strategi...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 45 min
Have you ever wondered how successful traders make their fortunes in the markets? In this episode of The Derivative Podcast, we explore the world of trend following with a master in the field, Andrew Strasman. Here first-hand about his journey as a trend follower, from his early days in the trading pit to his experience in the real estate market and the birth of high-frequency trading. Throughout the discussion, Jeff and Andrew talk about the importance of risk management, position sizing, and h...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 46 min
Today’s episode we are passengers on Bryce Emo’s rig, as we ride along and chat about how his company Sidecar Financial assists in providing private company shareholders the knowledge and network to find what can be life-changing liquidity. Bryce explains why stock option-based employees at big tech companies need the “lending hand”, and covers all the avenues available in helping navigate their journey to success with education on the options for their options. Bryce & Jeff are climbing the...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 8 min
What was the short-lived SVB baking crisis all about? Has it forced the Fed’s hand? Are we done tightening? Lots of Macro questions so who better to dig into it with than the appropriately nicknamed Macro Alf. In this episode of The Derivative, we sit down with Alfonso Peccatiello, founder of The Macro Compass and owner of the wonderful Twitter handle @MacroAlf to discuss the challenges of generating alpha in a low-volatility environment. Peccatiello shares his experience of working for ING Bank...
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 3 min
As investors and traders, we all strive for success in the markets. But what sets the best apart from the rest? According to Kapil Rastogi, the President and co-founder of PlusPlus Capital Management, it's all about having the right culture. Ranking among the best in the industry in RCM’s semi-annual rankings report for best risk control certainly doesn’t hurt either. In this episode of The Derivative, Kapil shares his insights on a range of topics, including his personal journey to becoming an ...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 19 min
When it comes to investing, there are countless strategies to choose from, each with its own set of pros and cons. One strategy that has stood the test of time is trend following, a technique that involves analyzing market trends and making trades based on those trends. Despite its proven track record, some investors remain skeptical about trend following, perhaps because they don't fully understand how it works or they've been burned in the past by unsuccessful trades. In this episode of The De...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 4 min
WTF is “Gammageddon”? What do 0DTE options have to do with it? Should I be fearful? Should I be greedy? We’re getting into all of it in this episode where we dig into just what zero days to expiry (0DTE) options are, who’s trading these things, who’s on the other side, and why (and why not) any of it could matter to investors… to option traders…..to the VIX. On the latest episode of Derivative, Jeff talks with Mike Green and Craig Peterson about what is really happening down in the options weeds...
Mar 09, 2023•1 hr 7 min
