SI404: When Trend Following Meets Equities ft. Eric Crittenden & Andrew Beer

Trend following has long promised and delivered diversification, crisis protection and uncorrelated returns. Yet many investors still struggle to hold it through difficult periods. In this conversation, Andrew Beer and Eric Crittenden explore why that gap exists and how combining trend following with equities may create a more durable portfolio. Together with Niels Kaastrup-Larsen discuss the rise of managed futures ETFs, the debate between simplicity and complexity in systematic investing, and why algorithmic discipline allows investors to act when intuition fails. The episode also examines portfolio construction, product design and the evolving role of alternatives in a changing investment landscape.

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Episode TimeStamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the Systematic Investor series and the week's guests

02:19 - Eric reflects on recent market trends and challenging periods for trend followers

03:15 - Andrew shares optimism about AI, innovation and technological progress

06:25 - Elon Musk, SpaceX and the future of technological disruption

09:22 - The evolution of managed futures ETFs and the growing demand for alternative strategies

15:58 - How ETF liquidity works and why portfolio construction matters

19:40 - The case for combining equities and trend following into one portfolio

21:37 - Eric explains the philosophy behind his multi asset approach

31:15 - Product design, allocator behavior and why diversification often fails in practice

40:44 - Simplicity versus complexity in systematic investing

46:58 - Why elegant models often fail in real world markets

57:05 - Sharpe ratios, diversification and combining multiple return streams

59:52 - Andrew introduces the idea of Contrarian Tactical Alpha

01:02:55 - Eric on algorithmic discipline and why trends are uncomfortable to follow

01:05:26 - Final thoughts on trend following, risk management and portfolio construction

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