Top Traders Unplugged

In this special episode of the Systematic Investor series, a panel of ten top systematic managers dissects the 2023‑2025 return dispersion among trend‑following strategies, highlighting how market selection, speed of signals and volatility‑adjusted sizing drove wildly different outcomes during the April “Liberation Day” shock. The conversation then pivots to the massive inflows into non‑correlated assets—precious metals, crypto, structured products, and hedge funds—exploring the implications for capacity, liquidity, and future portfolio construction in a world of rising interest rates.

In this episode, economist Mark Blyth argues that the global macroeconomic order is undergoing a reset akin to the post‑World‑I era, as the collapse of neoliberalism, soaring inequality and a resurgence of 19th‑century imperialist tensions signal a looming crash of capitalism. He warns that policymakers are ill‑prepared for the imminent great‑power conflict and climate‑driven resource scramble, and calls for bold fiscal, political and institutional reforms to avert a repeat of past economic catastrophes.

In this episode of The Systematic Investor, hosts Neil Krup and Richard Brennan examine how a de‑globalized, region‑focused world creates new, persistent imbalances that favor trend‑following strategies, while reviewing the concentrated metal‑driven performance of 2025 and early 2026 data. They also explore trader psychology, the pitfalls of back‑tested averages, and the value of diversified, rules‑based models for navigating uncertainty in fragmented markets.

In this episode, senior economist Bill White warns that the post‑pandemic era has reversed decades of disinflationary forces—globalization, favorable demographics, abundant energy and efficiency—creating a new inflationary supply‑side regime and record public and private debt that could trigger a systemic shock. He argues that without decisive fiscal tightening, structural reforms and realistic debt‑reduction strategies, the world faces heightened volatility, rising yields and the risk of a debt‑driven crisis, with AI touted as a potential but long‑term remedy.

In this second part of the “Systematic Investor” round‑table, leading CTAs and systematic managers dissect why trend‑following strategies continue to deliver value in today’s volatile markets, covering market selection, model design, AI integration, and the impact of a total‑portfolio approach (TPA). The panel also debates process stability, draw‑down management, the role of long‑volatility as a portfolio brake, and how evolving allocation frameworks could boost CTA exposure for diversified investors.

In this episode of Ideas Lab, Aubrey Pagano discusses her recent white paper on the transition to artificial general intelligence (AGI), exploring its potential impacts on society and investment opportunities. She highlights the challenges of energy scarcity, foundational industry resilience, and the need for improved human-agent coordination as key blockers to achieving AGI, while also speculating on future economic systems influenced by these advanced technologies.

In this episode of Open Interest, host Morates Seabert engages with Doug King, a renowned commodities trader and hedge fund manager, discussing his extensive career and insights into the cyclical nature of commodities trading. King shares valuable perspectives on risk management, trading strategies, and the ongoing electrification theme in the commodities market, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the mind of a successful trader.

In this episode of the Systematic Investor, Cem Karsan discusses the delicate state of the current financial markets, examining various geopolitical dynamics and their implications for investment. The conversation also revolves around positioning strategies, market sentiment, and the significance of understanding volatility in shaping investment decisions.

In this episode of Global Macro, host Alan Dunn interviews Gary Gersl, a historian and expert on the neoliberal order, discussing the transition from neoliberalism to a more nationalist approach in global politics. Gersl provides insights into the rise of authoritarianism, the challenges facing democracy, and how these shifts impact economic policies and societal structures around the world.

In Episode 378 of "Top Traders Unplugged," host Alan Don and guest Mark discuss the implications of recent Fed rate cuts, the current state of the markets, and the concept of price signals versus noise in trading models. They explore how market behavior, liquidity, and potential asset bubbles influence investment strategies in an uncertain economic climate.

In this episode of Top Traders Unplugged, Jeff Rosenberg from BlackRock Systematic discusses the challenges and opportunities in the current investment landscape, particularly focusing on systematic and trend-following strategies amidst the shift in macroeconomic conditions post-COVID. The conversation highlights the evolving role of fixed income, the impact of inflation, and how systematic approaches are becoming increasingly vital for managing portfolio diversification and risk.

In this episode of the Systematic Investor, hosts Alan Don and Niels Kaastrup-Larsen delve into the latest trends in global markets, focusing on the implications of political changes and the evolving investment landscape. They discuss the impact of potential new Fed leadership on market dynamics, alongside insights into trend-following strategies and the growing role of AI in economic productivity.