TTU101: Should You Trust The Short-Term Over The Long-Term? ft. Nigol Koulajian of Quest Partners – 1of2
Nigol Koulajian is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Quest Partners LLC, and has been designing and trading short-term and long-term technical systems for over 22 years. Coming from Columbia business school, many of Nigol’s general practices seem counter-intuitive but have consistently yielded results. This interview will help get you deeper into the trading and management philosophy that has made Quest Partners such a successful firm.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn This Episode, You’ll Learn:How Nigol got started with trading systemsHow Quest Partners grew to where it is todayWhat Nigol has learned from his unique path into managed futuresWhy clearly defining your process is value added to your productWhy Nigol is okay with always being in a state of failureHow developing nuance in his intuitive process has become Nigol’s greatest assetWhat role meditation has played in Nigol’s careerWhat factors played into Quest’s successWhy Quest takes tail risk into account while normalizing returnsWhy Nigol puts more trust in short-term over the long-termSome of Nigol’s short-term trading strategiesWhat Nigol is studying right nowHow writing white papers has helped Nigol’s relationships with his clientsWhy focusing on your investors can be hurting your long-term growthHow Quest Partners has changed to fit the post-2010 financial climateThe problem with smart beta-----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 TwitterFollow Nigol on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigol-koulajian-a558412a/" rel="noopener...
18 Maj 201837min
TTU100: Being Transparent With Your Clients ft. Robert Sinnott of AlphaSimplex – 2of2
In our continued conversation with Robert Sinnott, Katy Kaminski and I dive into why AlphaSimplex has been so successful, why Robert values transparency in his firm so highly, and what he advises for new and rising-star investors. He goes deep into what he is excited about and afraid of with managed futures, and what he’s looking forward to accomplishing with AlphaSimplex in the future.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why AlphaSimplex maintains a pure trend programWhat problems in the trend following space Robert hopes to solveThe challenges that AlphaSimplex deals with on a regular basisWhat factors have given AlphaSimplex its successWhy Robert holds transparency in such high regardHow the models Robert uses employ smart long-term and short-term assessment and whyWhen your size as a firm hurts your performanceWhat about managed futures makes Robert the most excitedThe things about managed futures that keep Robert up at nightWhy the models you are reading about are wrongRobert’s advice for young and rising star investorsWhy Robert believes the right question can often more important than the answer-----Resources & Links Mentioned in this Episode:Learn more about Joe Blitzstein’s “Introduction to Probability”Find out more about my co-host Katy Kaminski’s “Trend Following with Managed Futures: The Search for Crisis Alpha” 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
19 Apr 201838min
TTU99: The Good and Bad of Machine Learning ft. Robert Sinnott of AlphaSimplex – 1of2
From the very beginning, Robert Sinnott has studied the movement of the markets and how to anticipate their changes. Robert earned both an A.B. and an A.M. in Statistics from Harvard University, where he focused on statistical machine learning, capital markets, and time series analysis.In our conversation, my co-host Katy Kaminski and I talk with Robert about how he has used these skills to redesign AlphaSimplex’s performance analytics infrastructure and develop smarter machine learning processes, and how Robert employs this data with such success.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn This Episode, You’ll Learn:The history behind AlphaSimplex and how it beganHow Robert got involved with AlphaSimplexHow the surrounding technology industry affects Robert’s workWhat lessons Robert has learned from his time at AlphaSimplexHow Robert spends his time outside of his workHow adaptive markets shape the way Robert worksWhy Robert utilizes machine learning and how it benefits AlphaSimplexThe dangers of relying too much on machine learningWhat makes AlphaSimplex’s machine learning so easy to understand----- Resources & Links Mentioned in this Episode:Learn more about Joe Blitzstein’s “Introduction to Probability”Find out more about my co-host Katy Kaminski’s “Trend Following with Managed Futures: The Search for Crisis Alpha” 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...
14 Apr 201835min
TTU98: Adapting to the Ever Changing Markets ft. Marty Bergin of DUNN Capital – 2of2
Katy Kaminski and I continue our conversation with Marty Bergin, and discuss his philosophy behind DUNN Capital’s success, and why many investors don’t understand trend following strategies. In this episode, we will discuss what investors and trend followers should be focusing on, and what risks excessive regulation may lead to for the industry.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn This Episode, You’ll Learn:How DUNN views it’s expansion into more marketsWhy their NO management fee policy has helped DUNN throughout the yearsHow DUNN will adapt to the ever changing market environmentWhat investors have a hard time understanding about trend followersMarty’s goal over the next ten yearsWhat Marty fears most in his work at DUNNThe most important question investors should be asking themselves right nowWhy Marty believes trend following strategies should be more widely availableMarty’s advice to young investors and aspiring trend followers-----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.Learn more about DUNN: www.dunncapital.comCopyright © 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....
2 Mars 201838min
TTU97: Putting Your Clients First...Always ft. Marty Bergin of DUNN Capital – 1of2
Our guest today is the President and Owner of DUNN Capital. Having a deep background in finance and business management, Marty oversees all mission-critical operations of the firm, including the firm’s research and development efforts as well as the construction and management of the firm’s managed futures portfolios.In our conversation, my co-host Katy Kaminski and I discuss with Marty DUNN Capital’s client-first business model, why he believes that their Adaptive Risk Profile has been a game-changer since its introduction in 2013, and how DUNN Capital has evolved since he joined more than 20 years ago.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn This Episode, You’ll Learn:How Bill Dunn started DUNN CapitalHow Marty minimizes risk down to the base levelWhat lessons Marty has learned from his time at DUNN CapitalWhy Marty believes being client-centric is key to DUNN Capital’s successHow research plays a larger role within DUNN Capital than most people thinkHow DUNN Capital has changed since Marty joinedHow Marty views return dispersionWhy certain “diverse” stock choices are not very diverseWhat makes DUNN’s Adaptive Risk Profile uniqueThe one thing that is missing from Marty’s trend following program-----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.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. <a...
25 Feb 201832min
RT13: The legacy of AHL ft. Adam, Harding & Lueck of AHL – 3of3
On this special episode, my guests are the founders of AHL: Michael Adam who later co-founded Aspect Capital, David Harding also known as founder and CEO of Winton Capital and Marty Lueck also one of the co-founders of Aspect Capital.We sat down in the famous Abbey Road Studios in London to talk about how they developed their investing strategies, some of the most surprising decisions they ever made, and what kind of legacy they would like to leave behind.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn This Episode, You’ll Learn:What Mike, David & Marty had to un-learn in order to improve their strategiesWhy David believes education can crush creativityHow some “new” optimization methods hurts investorsWhat David and Marty least like about their current strategiesWhat they plan on doing when they no longer run their firmsHow David approaches succession planningThe most important investment principles the guests would leave for their childrenWhy only a small amount of investors still keep managed futures as a core allocationThe most important decisions they ever madeWhich decisions had the most surprising resultsIf the media will ever understand what managed futures actually areThe legacy that AHL left in the world of investingFollow 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.Learn more about Michael Adam and Mike Marlin and The MelomaniacsLearn more about David Harding and Winton GroupLearn more about Marty Lueck and <a...
1 Sep 201733min
RT12: You don't have to be good...but you have to be useful ft. Adam, Harding & Lueck of AHL – 2of3
On this special episode, I continue my conversation with the founders of AHL: Michael Adam who later co-founded Aspect Capital, David Harding also known as founder and CEO of Winton Capital and Marty Lueck also one of the co-founders of Aspect Capital.We sat down in the famous Abbey Road Studios in London to talk about what AHL’s founders did after they created the company, what they’ve learned along the way about business and life, and how they view the current market climates.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn This Episode, You’ll Learn:The future of a science-driven trading approachWhat David’s vision was when he started Winton CapitalThe beginnings of Aspect CapitalWhy Winton moved away from traditional trend followingThe challenges that equities and managed futures present for investorsWhy David chose to lower volatility of his strategyMichael’s experience with deep value investingWhen it’s time to ask “do you want to be happy or rich?”What caused Michael to leave the industryHow they have evolve using different data sources and new marketsThe danger of “hindsight bias”What disadvantages machine learning have presentedWhy Marty views asset allocation as part of a trend following modelHow they see our current financial climate-----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.Learn more about Michael Adam and Mike Marlin and The MelomaniacsLearn more about David Harding and Winton...
25 Aug 201742min
RT11: AHL 30 Year Anniversary ft. Michael Adam, David Harding & Marty Lueck – 1of3
I was thrilled to be joined by the founders of AHL, to celebrate their 30 year anniversay of founding AHL: Michael Adam who later co-founded Aspect Capital, David Harding also known as founder and CEO of Winton Capital and Marty Lueck also one of the co-founders of Aspect Capital.We sat down in the famous Abbey Road Studios in London to talk about AHL’s beginnings, the revolutionary discoveries that AHL made, how MAN Group became the owner of AHL, as well as all the great things that Michael, David and Marty went on to create.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HEREIn This Episode, You’ll Learn:How AHL got it’s startWhy Michael’s father was instrumental in the beginning of AHLWhat struck David when testing their early algorithmsWhy their “empiricist” outlook gave them an early advantageHow technology’s limits pushed their ideasThe breakthroughs of AHL’s early research and how it still applies todayWhy being a consultant gave AHL deep insight into trading the marketsThe crucial role the early clients had in AHL’s developmentThe power of finding the right people to work withWhy Michael preferred working with “unformed” employeesHow the original deal between MAN and MINT influenced AHLWhat the larger financial community initially thought about AHLHow AHL brought in investors in those early days-----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.Learn more about Michael Adam and Mike Marlin and The MelomaniacsLearn more about David Harding and <a href="https://www.winton.com/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...
18 Aug 201744min
