The Curious Quant

The Curious Quant series, hosted by Michael Kollo, is a discussion between technically-minded professionals in the financial services, technology and data science fields. It carefully examines the application of new data and new methodologies to common problems in financial markets. The aim is to promote better discussions about these emerging areas, and a better understanding of new technologies.

 

 

Michael Kollo is a seasoned investment professional with a deep passion for the pragmatic discussion and application of quantitative models to solve problems. His PhD in Finance is from the London School of Economics where he lectured in quantitative finance in addition to Imperial College and at the University of New South Wales. He has created models and led quantitative research teams at Blackrock, Fidelity and Axa Rosenberg in the UK before more recently moving to Australia where he established the quantitative team for the $50 billion industry superannuation fund, HESTA. Kollo is an experienced speaker, author, mentor, a keen student of philosophy and more recently, a podcaster. The Curious Quant is a series of conversations with market leaders, deep thinkers and practitioners who deal with the wonder and frustrations of these models and who are on the front line of AI innovation.

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Private equity is not an asset class: Siguler

Is private equity an asset class? George Siguler (pictured), a doyen in the field, a former head of alternative investments for the Harvard endowment that formed his own firm, and a pioneer of unlisted investments in the BRIC countries, thinks not. He spoke with Greg Bright about the state of play in private equity. George

Funds flow to bonds. Why?

The largest bond manager in the world, PIMCO, is cleaning up. Figures from researcher and data provider eVestment Alliance show that institutional investors put more than twice the amount of money into US fixed-income funds in the past three months than any other asset class.mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Indian festivities glisten as pension funds consider gold

Uncertainty about whether inflation or deflation is the greater threat in the US and Europe, coupled with record prices for – and individual investor buying of – gold, have prompted an unusual level of interest in the yellow metal by pension funds.mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

It’s ‘arrivederci’ for Italian funds managers

A new regulatory environment in the Italian asset management industry could be a boon for international players  as domestic firms may consider selling due to more stringent capital requirements, a study by RBC Dexia and Ernst & Young has found. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Norway’s auditor slams manager fees as ‘reprehensible’

Norway’s Finance Ministry is under fire for huge fees paid to external fund managers of the NOK3 trillion ($478 billion) Government Pension Fund, with the country’s auditor general criticising Norges Bank as “reprehensible” for paying out NOK500 million ($81 million) on a mandate of NOK3.3 billion ($534 million). mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Mercer buyout of Hammond augurs boutiques’ demise

Mercer’s acquisition of US-based Hammond Associates marks the continued trend of a new consulting environment that raises the question of whether boutique firms can survive. Amanda White spoke to Mercer’s US investment consulting leader, Jeff Schutes, about why clients’ demand for deeper resources and knowledge is driving the consolidation, and why large firms are rejecting

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