Top Traders Unplugged

Episoder

• ALO35: Why Macro Investing Is Becoming More Systematic ft. George Patterson 03.06.2026 1t 1min

  How do quantitative investors adapt when markets, technology and macro regimes are constantly changing? In this conversation, Alan Dunne sits down with George Patterson, CIO of PGIM Quant Solutions, to explore the evolution of systematic investing from the 1990s to today’s AI driven landscape. They discuss regime detection, inflation risk, portfolio construction, machine learning, private markets, volatility overlays and the growing role of language models in investment research. George also shares insights from decades in quant investing, including lessons from Covid, the importance of model discipline and why communication skills matter as much as technical expertise.-----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 Alan on Twitter.Follow George on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Introduction to George Patterson and his journey from physics to quantitative investing03:12 - Why multidisciplinary teams matter in modern quant investing04:13 - Inside PGIM Quant Solutions and the evolution of multi asset investing06:03 - How markets and macro investing have changed since the 1990s09:12 - The future of the 60/40 portfolio and institutional portfolio construction12:11 - Private markets, liquidity challenges and institutional investor concerns13:25 - Inflation, commodities and building modern inflation hedges19:33 - Detecting macro regimes using quantitative models23:26 - The hardest part of systematic investing: trusting the process27:00 - Covid, model failures and managing regime shifts in real time30:07 - Portfolio protection, options strategies and volatility overlays32:01 - How AI and large language models are transforming quantitative research40:02 - Fiscal risks, inflation concerns and the changing rate environment44:26 - Simplicity versus complexity in quantitative model design48:05 - Why markets evolve faster today and how models must adapt51:08 - Retail investors, meme stocks and market distortions53:33 - Emerging markets and where long term opportunities may exist55:08 - The future of quant investing and the limits of AI hype57:10 - George Patterson’s career advice for aspiring quantsCopyright © 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
• SI402: Why Markets Can’t Stop Trending ft. Richard Brennan 30.05.2026 1t 30min

  What happens when markets stop behaving like machines and start behaving like living systems? In this episode, Richard Brennan joins Niels to explore passive investing, complex adaptive systems, volatility suppression, and the hidden forces reshaping modern market structure. From structured products and reflexive flows to demographics, trend following, and the fragile illusion of equilibrium, this conversation asks whether markets are becoming more unstable precisely because investors believe they have become safer. A thoughtful and layered discussion about why price discovery may be weakening, why trends persist, and why systematic strategies may be more relevant in a world increasingly shaped by feedback loops.-----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 Rich on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 - Introduction to the episode and overview of today’s discussion02:22 - Richard Brennan breaks down passive investing through the lens of complex adaptive systems06:51 - What “complex adaptive systems” actually means in markets14:53 - Why passive investing changes market structure without individual investors realizing it24:06 - Niels discusses structured products, volatility suppression, and market fragility29:23 - How demographic shifts could eventually reshape passive investing trends35:37 - Trend following performance update and the TTU Trend Barometer38:48 - Listener question on variance, volatility, and correlation in systematic trend following42:04 - The “murmuration” analogy and why markets behave like flocks instead of machines48:31 - Why equilibrium theory survives despite failing to explain real markets51:17 - The endogenous engine of markets and the mechanics of reflexivity57:47 - How trend followers align with the architecture of modern markets01:03:12 - Why passive investing weakens balancing forces and strengthens trends01:13:43 - The statistical evidence showing markets structurally trend over time01:21:18 - Why trend following may become even more effective in the futureCopyright © 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
• IL49: The Space Economy Is No Longer Science Fiction ft. Rainer Zitelmann 27.05.2026 1t 1min

  On this episode we are joined by Dr. Rainer Zitelmann, to discuss his book New Space Capitalism: The Entrepreneurial Path to the Stars. We discuss why government-funded space programs were initially successful but also why the future of space exploration, and the space economy, will be driven by private companies. Dr. Zitelmann explains what he believes to be the key driver of unlocking the economic potential of space and why it’s conceivable that ventures such as space tourism, orbital data centers and asteroid mining might be listed on the stock exchange. This is a conversation for everyone who wants an early look at an industry that is about to “take off”!-----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 Kevin on SubStack & read his Book.Follow Rainer on Instagram and read his book.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Why incentives may explain why humans stopped going to the moon01:07 - Kevin introduces Dr. Rainer Zitelmann and New Space Capitalism02:47 - How childhood fascination with space led to a lifelong interest05:45 - Why Apollo succeeded and why it may have been a historical exception09:22 - The Space Shuttle program and the limits of government-led innovation13:50 - How SpaceX changed the economics of launch services20:32 - Why private property rights may be essential for space capitalism24:36 - The legal uncertainty around owning land and resources in space32:23 - How Mars settlement could be financed through private ownership42:49 - Asteroid mining, space resources and the business case beyond Earth48:06 - Space tourism and why early innovation often starts with the wealthy53:51 - How investors might think about the emerging space economy58:27 - Why space capitalism is no longer science fictionCopyright © 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
• SI401: Why Trend Following Wins in Chaos ft. Nick Baltas 23.05.2026 1t 1min

  The world of systematic investing is evolving fast, and in this episode Nick Baltas joins Moritz Seibert to explore the explosive growth of QIS strategies, the current state of trend following in 2026, and the challenges facing systematic investors in today’s macro environment. They discuss crowding risks in quantitative strategies, the recent collapse in commodity curve carry, and why some trend managers continue to outperform through broader diversification and alternative markets. The conversation also dives into execution alpha, AI driven research workflows, inflation risks, and the ongoing institutional demand for systematic macro strategies. A sharp and highly practical discussion for anyone interested in trend following, QIS, commodities, and quantitative investing.-----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 Nick on Twitter.Follow Moritz on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 – Introduction to the episode01:17 – Nick Baltas on AI, research, and market volatility03:02 – Trend following performance update for May 202606:25 – What investors are focusing on in QIS strategies10:14 – Is there cyclicality in investor demand for QIS?15:25 – Wall Street Journal article on the growth of QIS17:15 – Crowding risks and overlapping systematic strategies24:15 – Can hedge funds front run QIS trades?27:46 – Commodity curve carry explained30:48 – Largest drawdown ever for commodity curve strategies33:59 – Is now the right time to buy commodity curve carry?37:20 – Why some curve carry implementations still made money40:01 – Trend following performance across alternative vs traditional markets44:21 – Why broader trend portfolios may improve Sharpe ratios47:22 – Listener question: Is there alpha in execution?49:53 – How CTAs think about execution and slippage53:50 – Why trend following on single name equities is rare57:58 – Chesapeake’s single name trend approach59:04 – Final thoughts and wrap upCopyright © 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
• GM101: When Passive Breaks the Market ft. Hari Krishnan & Cem Karsan 20.05.2026 1t 13min

  Hari Krishnan joins Niels and Cem for a deep exploration of what happens when markets become dominated by flows rather than fundamentals. Drawing on his new paper with Mike Green and Stefan Sturm, Hari explains why rising passive ownership may weaken price discovery, amplify concentration in mega-cap stocks and create conditions for reflexive instability. The conversation expands far beyond indexing, touching on volatility targeting, leverage, dispersion, inflation, government intervention and the growing dependence of the global economy on rising asset prices. Along the way, Cem and Hari debate whether policymakers can continue stabilizing an increasingly fragile system, what could trigger a structural break, and how investors should think about positioning in a world where flows may matter more than fundamentals.-----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 Cem on Twitter.Follow Hari on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Hari warns about a fragile financial system dependent on a handful of decision-makers01:06 - Niels introduces Hari’s new paper with Mike Green and Stefan Sturm03:00 - Why passive investing may weaken the link between fundamentals and prices08:40 - The key assumptions behind the model12:49 - How passive adoption accelerated structural market changes15:11 - Cem explains why markets may now drive the economy rather than reflect it23:38 - Can policymakers control a complex financial system?27:03 - How passive flows amplify mega-cap concentration31:22 - The changing role of dispersion, volatility and positioning41:04 - What the model suggests about instability at high passive ownership levels46:21 - Why 2022 may have been a warning sign51:55 - Inflation, government intervention and the limits of market control55:33 - What could trigger a systemic break?01:07:28 - Political and demographic pressures beneath the system01:10:43 - Hari’s portfolio implications: stay long, hedge smartly and own inflation sensitivityCopyright © 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
• SI400: When Crisis Alpha Hides in Plain Sight ft. Yoav Git & Rob Croce 16.05.2026 1t 7min

  This week, we are joined by Yoav Git and Rob Croce from Fidelity Investments for a deep dive into trend following, portfolio construction and execution in modern markets. The conversation explores why crisis alpha may come more from beta timing than market selection, the logic behind betting against beta, and how quantitative investors think about diversification, carry and relative value strategies. Along the way, the trio discuss Japan’s rising bond yields, momentum investing, execution risk during crises and even how ChatGPT helped solve a 60-year-old mathematical problem. This is a technical but highly practical discussion about how systematic investors build robust portfolios in a changing macro environment.-----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 LinkedIn and read his paper.Follow Yoav on Linkedin.Episode TimeStamps:01:57 - Rob Croce’s path from economics to managed futures and trend following04:38 - Yoav on AI-assisted mathematics and solving a 60-year-old problem06:14 - Rob on out-of-sample testing and learning from market structure11:42 - Rising Japanese bond yields and the global bond market backdrop12:39 - Momentum investing and the growing popularity of trend-based strategies17:04 - Current trend following environment across equities, bonds and commodities19:13 - “Betting Against Beta” and why low-beta portfolios may outperform25:43 - The role of leverage aversion and diversification in factor investing34:26 - Rob Croce’s paper: where crisis alpha really comes from40:31 - Why beta timing drives much of trend following’s defensive behavior47:46 - Can carry improve trend following without sacrificing crisis alpha?51:51 - Execution algorithms, risk reduction and trading during crises57:46 - Why correlation spikes matter for portfolio execution and liquidity01:04:05 - Final thoughts and where to find Rob Croce’s researchCopyright © 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
• GM100: Central Banks in the Dark: Inflation, AI, and the Limits of Control ft. David Beckworth 13.05.2026 1t 4min

  Today, we are joined by David Beckworth, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center and host of Macro Musings, for a deep dive into the biggest macro questions shaping markets right now. David explains why central banks struggle to respond to supply shocks, why inflation expectations are more fragile than policymakers admit, and how frameworks like nominal GDP targeting could offer a more robust path forward. We explore the collision between geopolitical shocks and AI-driven productivity, the hidden consequences of quantitative easing, and the growing tension between monetary policy and fiscal sustainability. From stablecoins and the future of the dollar to the Fed’s balance sheet and financial system plumbing, this episode unpacks the forces quietly reshaping the global economy, and why policymakers may be less in control than we think.-----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 Alan on LinkedIn.Follow David on X.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Stablecoins, financial stability, and uncertain impact01:00 - David Beckworth’s path into macroeconomics05:43 - How central banks should respond to supply shocks08:56 - Why policymakers struggle to separate supply vs demand11:58 - Inflation expectations and post-COVID sensitivity14:46 - Are central banks over-reliant on flawed inflation models?18:49 - AI as a positive supply shock: hype vs reality22:00 - Productivity booms, deflation, and policy challenges25:11 - Kevin Warsh, AI optimism, and the Fed’s future direction29:33 - QE, QT, and the long-term impact on financial markets33:28 - The “ratchet effect” and why the Fed can’t shrink easily37:59 - Liquidity: abundant or an illusion?41:38 - Are markets addicted to central bank liquidity?44:21 - Fiscal dominance and the long-term risk to central banks53:54 - Stablecoins, dollar dominance, and global demand59:10 - Private credit and the evolving financial system01:00:49 - Books, learning, and building a career in macroCopyright © 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
• SI399: AI, Inflation and the Portfolio That Refuses to Sit Still ft. Alan Dunne 09.05.2026 1t 11min

  Today, Niels and Alan examine a market shaped by two forces pulling in opposite directions: AI’s promise of higher productivity and the inflationary pressure of geopolitical stress. From distorted economic data and shifting rate expectations to energy shocks, fiscal pressure, and the changing role of trend following, this conversation explores why traditional portfolios may need more flexibility than they once did. Alan also shares a world exclusive on the launch of his Regime Adaptive Fund, built around the idea that portfolios should not simply sit through changing regimes, but adjust as markets, inflation, and correlations evolve. A timely discussion on risk, resilience, and the limits of old playbooks.-----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 Alan on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 - Introduction to Top Traders Unplugged00:36 - Niels welcomes Alan Dunne back to the Systematic Investor Series01:31 - How AI is distorting economic data, earnings, and construction trends06:13 - UK council elections, Reform UK, and pressure on political assumptions09:00 - Trend following update and the shift in fixed income exposure13:35 - Why recent macro shocks have created a favorable backdrop for trend followers16:45 - AI, Iran, and the collision between positive and negative supply shocks26:22 - Graham Capital’s research on macro performance across monetary regimes37:09 - AQR’s view on multi-asset portfolios, trend following, and inflation risk46:07 - Why diversification still comes with discomfort51:26 - Should trend following trade equities when stacked on equities?56:38 - Alan reveals the launch of the Regime Adaptive Fund01:05:42 - Equity market strength, hidden risks, and portfolio construction today01:08:46 - Closing thoughts and upcoming episode previewCopyright © 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
• OI22: Inside the Next Generation Market Wizards ft. Jack Schwager & George Coyle 07.05.2026 45min

  What does it take to become a true Market Wizard, and why do so many of them fail before they find their edge? In this special episode, Moritz Seibert sits down with Jack Schwager and George Coyle to discuss The Next Generation of Market Wizards, the sixth book in the series that began in 1989. Together, they explore how extraordinary traders are found, how their records are verified in an age of AI, and why many of the most remarkable returns still come from discretionary traders. From blown-up accounts and shorting small caps to the psychological cost of sitting in front of screens for 14 hours a day, this is a rare look at the craft, pressure, and persistence behind exceptional 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 Moritz on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 – Why single trading systems rarely produce “wizard-level” returns01:17 – Introduction to the new Market Wizards book02:37 – George Coyle’s background and path to co-authoring05:00 – What makes this new book different (focus on solo traders)06:00 – How top traders are discovered10:46 – Verifying extreme performance claims in the AI era13:26 – The most surprising trait: repeated early failure15:54 – New-generation strategies that break “classic” rules19:02 – Timeless trading principles that still hold21:16 – Why most market wizards are discretionary, not systematic24:41 – Why individual quant systems rarely achieve extreme returns26:53 – Listener question: systematic vs discretionary trading30:17 – Personality traits of elite traders32:21 – The hidden “cost” of being a top trader35:50 – Can anyone become a market wizard?38:47 – What’s changed in trading edges over time41:53 – Preview of the next book (hedge fund traders)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
• GM99: Gold, Trust, and the Return of Real Assets ft. Philip Diehl 06.05.2026 1t 5min

  Today, we are joined by Philip Diehl, former Director of the United States Mint and President of U.S. Money Reserve, for a timely conversation about gold’s renewed role in a world shaped by inflation, geopolitical stress, central bank demand, and uncertainty around fiat currencies. Philip explains why gold’s recent rise is not simply a speculative move, but part of a broader shift in how governments, institutions, and individuals think about wealth preservation. From central bank buying and Chinese retail demand to Bitcoin, ETFs, physical coins, and the limits of the U.S. dollar system, this episode explores why gold is once again moving from the margins of portfolios toward the center of the macro conversation.-----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 Alan on LinkedIn.Follow Philip on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Why Philip Diehl believes investors should “buy the dip” in gold01:14 - Philip’s career from public policy to the U.S. Mint06:08 - What U.S. Money Reserve does and why physical gold matters08:08 - The forces behind gold’s powerful multi-year rally13:08 - Central bank buying, dollar risk, and portfolio diversification19:05 - Why some central banks may sell gold during stress22:18 - Chinese demand, cultural memory, and the role of retail buyers28:32 - Why Philip does not see Bitcoin as “digital gold”32:44 - Physical gold versus ETFs and the question of ownership37:10 - How retail investors behave during gold bull markets41:16 - Portfolio allocation and the changing case for gold45:52 - Why Philip expects gold to outperform equities over the next decade48:15 - Why today’s gold market is not a repeat of the 1970s52:21 - Gold miners, production limits, and rising extraction costs55:58 - Fort Knox, revaluing U.S. gold reserves, and political reality59:24 - Lessons from Philip’s career and how to learn more about goldCopyright © 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
• SI398: Navigating a VUCA World ft. Mark Rzepczynski 02.05.2026 1t 7min

  Today, we explore what it means to invest in a world defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). We discuss why geopolitical shocks... especially supply-driven ones... are creating persistent trends across markets, and why trend-following strategies are thriving despite strong equity performance. The conversation dives into how investors process information (or fail to), the limits of central bank responses to supply shocks, and why markets may not be fully pricing in current risks. Mark also shares new research comparing hedge fund strategies under different volatility regimes, highlighting why managed futures stand out as a robust diversifier. The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on AI, replication strategies, and the growing role of narrative versus data in investment decision-making.-----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 Mark on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 – Introduction: Preparing for the unpredictable00:36 – Entering a VUCA world: volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity02:00 – “Uncharted territory” in markets and beyond05:30 – Central banks, leadership changes, and policy uncertainty07:16 – Oil markets, OPEC shifts, and geopolitical tension10:16 – Trend-following performance update and market context14:06 – Reverse engineering CTAs and the role of AI18:42 – Replication strategies vs. true alpha22:41 – Trend-following performance metrics (April update)24:43 – Supply shocks and why they’re harder to manage28:53 – Are markets underreacting to geopolitical risk?31:53 – Information overload, ambiguity, and trend persistence34:54 – Why more data doesn’t mean better decisions38:34 – Government intervention vs. market-driven trends40:30 – Pandemic policies and unintended inflation43:00 – New research: hedge fund strategies vs. volatility regimes47:16 – Why managed futures stand out as diversifiers51:11 – Narrative vs. data in investment decisions55:36 – AI, sentiment analysis, and the future of models58:46 – Simplicity vs. complexity in strategy design01:00:49 – Bundling vs. unbundling investment strategies01:03:18 – Momentum crashes and new research directionsCopyright © 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
• IL48: The Misunderstood Economics of Africa ft. Joe Studwell 29.04.2026 1t

  In this episode Kevin Coldiron is joined by bestselling author Joe Studwell who speaks about his new book How Africa Works: Success and Failure on the World’s Last Development Frontier. We discuss why many of our perceptions about Africa are wrong - why one big problem has been too few people, not too many and why the continent isn’t as resource-rich as we think. Joe talks us through some surprising success stories - like Rwanda’s emulation of Singapore and Botswana’s success in avoiding “the resource curse”. This is the time to begin researching and understanding the opportunities in a continent that has more land mass than the US, China and India combined and will eventually be home to the majority of the world’s young people.-----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 Kevin on SubStack & read his Book.Follow Joe on LinkedIn and read his book.Episode TimeStamps: 00:01 - Introduction to the episode and guest02:04 - Why the book was written and initial motivation05:50 - Outsider perspective and reactions in Africa07:22 - The core idea: population density and development08:22 - Why Africa’s growth lagged historically14:23 - Population growth and changing economic potential15:39 - Colonialism in Africa vs Asia20:14 - Land, agriculture, and development differences23:55 - Rise of private sector and food production25:57 - Resources and the limits of extractive growth29:56 - Botswana and managing resource wealth36:21 - Rwanda’s development model and governance44:41 - Ethnic dynamics and future stability50:24 - China’s role and manufacturing potential56:04 - Investing in Africa and long term outlookCopyright © 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
• SI397: The Market Isn’t Free Anymore, It’s Being Managed ft. Cem Karsan 25.04.2026 1t 11min

  Today Cem Karsan and Niels Kaastrup-Larsen examine a market environment where politics, geopolitics and liquidity are becoming harder to separate. Cem argues that recent market strength is not just a reaction to better news, but part of a broader effort to manage risk, support collateral values and prepare for deeper geopolitical stress. From rising military spending and the Strait of Hormuz to treasury demand, QIS growth, AI and the next inflation wave, this conversation is about what happens when markets stop being passive observers and become tools in a larger strategic contest.-----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 Cem on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00:01 - Introduction to Top Traders Unplugged00:00:35 - Niels and Cem reconnect and set the stage00:01:51 - Truth, narratives and the blurring of reality00:04:15 - Fed independence, politics and credibility00:07:45 - The rise of QIS and demand for alternative strategies00:12:52 - Trend following update and current market performance00:15:23 - Framing the disconnect between markets and reality00:20:09 - Liquidity, market rallies and strategic positioning00:25:08 - Are markets being actively managed00:34:51 - The real geopolitical battle and the role of China00:40:32 - What investors may be underpricing00:52:55 - Why markets can rise despite growing risks00:55:56 - Treasury demand, intervention and future policy paths00:58:04 - Inflation, debt monetization and long term outlook01:02:16 - AI, deflation and the political responseCopyright © 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
• UGO11: Fiscal Dominance, Dollar Power, and the Politics Driving Markets ft. Lyn Alden 22.04.2026 1t 11min

  Today, Cem Karsan sits down with Lyn Alden for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces quietly shaping markets beneath the surface. From the persistence of fiscal dominance to the role of populism, demographics, and global power shifts, they explore why the current macro regime may be far harder to reverse than many expect. The discussion moves beyond economics into politics, examining how inequality, globalization, and technological change feed into inflation dynamics and policy decisions. They also tackle the future of the dollar, the risks to its global dominance, and the complex role of crypto in a system defined by power, incentives, and control.-----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 Cem on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the episode and trading floor setting00:01:28 - Cem introduces Lyn Alden and frames the macro discussion00:02:23 - Lyn outlines her framework and the rise of fiscal dominance00:05:31 - Multipolar world and shifting reserve currency dynamics00:06:20 - Why debt cycles lead to persistent fiscal expansion00:13:42 - Debate on debt, modern monetary theory, and dollar privilege00:18:29 - Populism, inequality, and political drivers of inflation00:24:25 - Trade deficits, globalization, and domestic consequences00:30:20 - What happens if dollar dominance weakens00:34:16 - Comparing today to the 1940s vs the 1970s00:41:47 - Democracy, authoritarian drift, and rule of law00:44:17 - AI, productivity, and inflationary policy responses00:56:08 - Lyn’s views on Bitcoin, stablecoins, and crypto markets01:03:34 - Debate on the long term sustainability of crypto01:09:42 - Closing thoughts on power, money, and the macro outlookCopyright © 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
• SI396: Markets Look Calm… But Are They? ft. Rob Carver 18.04.2026 1t 20min

  Today, Rob Carver joins us to reflect on a market environment that appears calm on the surface but feels increasingly fragile underneath. From oil market distortions and muted reactions to geopolitical risk to the steady resilience of equities, the conversation questions whether price action is telling the full story. Rob shares insights from his own performance, including why slower trend signals have recently dominated and why he is running lower risk despite positive returns. The discussion moves into portfolio construction, return stacking, and the growing role of ETFs, alongside a candid look at where complexity adds value in systematic investing and where it does not.-----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.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 - Intro & current market backdrop04:30 - Oil market dislocations and futures vs physical pricing10:00 - Equities hitting highs despite geopolitical tension13:30 - ETFs, fees, and structural shifts in investment vehicles17:00 - Trend following performance update and April results20:30 - Rob’s year-to-date and 12-month performance breakdown25:00 - Why slow trend signals outperformed27:30 - How to evaluate large CTA managers31:00 - Where PhDs add value in systematic investing43:00 - Signal weighting, crisis alpha, and portfolio construction52:00 - Return stacking and diversifying equities01:06:30 - Managed futures ETFs vs replication strategies01:18:00 - Final thoughts and wrap-upCopyright © 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
• TTU152: Where is the Open? ft. Toby Crabel 15.04.2026 1t 5min

  Markets are not stable systems. They evolve, adapt, and quietly erode the edges traders rely on. In this episode, Toby Crabel reflects on decades of experience navigating that reality, from the early days of Opening Range Breakout strategies to today’s fragmented and highly competitive landscape. He explains why momentum behaves differently now, how liquidity has shifted across sessions, and why execution has become a defining edge. The conversation also explores the limits of AI, the persistence of technical principles, and the importance of adapting without overfitting. At its core, this is a discussion about humility, uncertainty, and staying relevant as markets change.-----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 Alan on Twitter.Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.Find out more about DUNN CapitalFollow Crabel Capital Management on LinkedIn.Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Markets are probabilistic and inherently uncertain01:40 - Introduction to Toby Crabel and his career03:01 - From tennis to trading and early market exposure06:10 - Opening range breakout and early momentum edge08:04 - Why momentum strategies have deteriorated over time14:21 - The disappearance of the “open” in modern markets17:53 - Are markets changing or just the participants20:34 - Liquidity events and large player behavior24:14 - The role and limits of technical analysis32:44 - Model decay and adapting systematic strategies39:17 - Execution as a primary source of edge40:40 - AI, automation, and the future of trading51:18 - Effort vs result and the meaning of volume56:56 - Are we entering a 1970s style macro regime?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
• SI395: Finding Alpha in the Strait of Chaos ft. Andrew Beer 11.04.2026 1t 16min

  Markets are currently being shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, rapid technological change, and shifting investor behavior. In this episode, Andrew and Niels explore how these forces are influencing trend following and systematic investing. They discuss recent market volatility, the impact of global conflict on asset prices, and why traditional diversification assumptions are being tested. A key focus is the evolving structure of the CTA industry, including the rise of ETFs and the debate between complexity and simplicity in generating alpha. The conversation also examines replication strategies, implementation costs, and whether simpler approaches may deliver more efficient and consistent outcomes over time.-----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 Andrew on Twitter.Episode TimeStamps: 01:27 - Geopolitical uncertainty and parallels to past crises03:13 - Why this crisis feels different from previous ones04:24 - Ideology, negotiation, and unintended consequences06:16 - AI, technology, and the changing global landscape10:58 - Technology dependence and societal tradeoffs12:37 - Market environment and trend following conditions16:02 - CTA performance and the macro “do over” of 202621:11 - Traditional markets vs systematic strategies22:39 - Hedge fund losses and dispersion across strategies25:48 - CTA alpha, simplicity, and ETF performance32:42 - Complexity vs efficiency in portfolio construction39:40 - Hidden implementation costs in systematic trading52:21 - QIS strategies and the illusion of beta57:43 - Structural challenges in QIS products01:03:12 - Index construction, research, and innovation constraints01:08:47 - Fees, transparency, and real investor costs01:12:41 - Product evolution and the future of systematic investingCopyright © 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
• OI21: The Hidden Edge in Markets No One Is Trading ft. Tom Babbedge 08.04.2026 47min

  What if the real edge in markets is not in adding more assets, but in choosing fundamentally different ones? In this episode, Moritz Siebert speaks with Tom Babbedge about why alternative commodity markets offer a distinct source of diversification and trend. They explore how structural supply and demand imbalances create persistent price moves, why many financial markets behave as one during stress, and how capacity constraints shape portfolio construction. The conversation also examines how markets are selected, how execution differs from traditional CTAs, and why understanding who trades a market may matter more than any backtest.-----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 Moritz on Twitter.Follow Tom on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest02:04 - Why focus only on commodity markets03:59 - The myth of diversification through more markets05:01 - Structural differences within commodity markets06:22 - Why financial markets behave as one in crises07:57 - Capacity constraints and portfolio construction11:18 - Adding and removing markets from the portfolio13:28 - How to identify truly alternative markets16:40 - Trend quality vs trend quantity explained19:11 - Structural drivers behind commodity trends20:01 - Case study European carbon and trend persistence26:59 - Execution as an edge in systematic trading32:42 - Reducing trading costs through patience40:09 - Why investors allocate to alternative commodity strategiesCopyright © 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
• SI394: The Quarter That Tested Every Trend Follower ft. Katy Kaminski & Harry Moore 04.04.2026 1t 13min

  Markets rarely offer clarity when it matters most. In this episode, together with Katy Kaminski and Harry Moore, we reflect on a first quarter defined by sharp reversals, energy shocks, and rising dispersion across strategies. They explain how trend following adapted as leadership flipped across asset classes, and why results varied more than many expected. The conversation moves beyond performance to examine portfolio construction, from market selection and speed to the growing relevance of portable alpha. Along the way, they revisit periods of drawdown, investor behavior, and the role of liquidity in crisis environments, offering a grounded perspective on how systematic strategies respond when conditions change quickly.-----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 Katy on LinkedIn.Follow Harry on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps:00:00 - Introduction and episode framing01:38 - Market backdrop and Q1 volatility07:29 - Trend following performance through Q109:36 - Diversification vs equities and bonds11:21 - Dispersion across managers explained14:32 - Trend vs non trend strategies18:40 - A month that tested every component of trend21:17 - Optimal market mix and research insights30:00 - Macro factors and what trend captures35:57 - Portable alpha and cash efficiency42:23 - Risks in portable alpha construction49:04 - Drawdowns and investor behavior53:37 - Why trend recovers after shocks01:00:51 - Measuring alpha in macro strategies01:06:51 - Geopolitics and future opportunitiesCopyright © 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
• GM98: Powerlessness Is Rising and Nobody Is Ready ft. Peter Atwater 01.04.2026 1t 13min

  What happens when confidence fades and power becomes concentrated in fewer hands? Together with Peter Atwater we explore a world dividing along lines of control and vulnerability. From geopolitical conflict and energy dominance to rising inequality and generational pressure, they describe a system under strain. The discussion connects investor behavior, policymaking, and social dynamics through a single lens: confidence. As those at the top grow more assertive and those at the bottom feel increasingly powerless, tensions build in ways that history suggests rarely resolve smoothly. This is an important and timely conversation about imbalance, reaction, and what may come next.-----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 Cem on Twitter.Follow Peter on X.Episode TimeStamps: 01:13 - Introduction and framing the confidence discussion02:53 - The K shaped world and rising vulnerability04:43 - Behavior at the top vs nihilism at the bottom06:48 - Confidence and policymaker decision making09:27 - From hubris to desperation in global systems12:23 - Iran, energy, and geopolitical motives17:05 - Leadership confidence and timing of conflict19:09 - Affordability crisis and consumer pressure22:43 - War priorities vs economic priorities25:53 - Control, drafts, and growing tension29:11 - Authoritarian drift and system constraints33:51 - Speed of crises in a connected world39:22 - Overconfidence and blindness to risk48:15 - Powerlessness as the trigger for changeCopyright © 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