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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Coming out for gay and lesbian themes

With the return to favour of top-down equities management and renewed focus by pension funds on their asset allocation and beta exposures, there has consequently been a resurgence in thematic investment styles and products. CLICK HERE TO READ MOREmrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

‘Lazy’ actuaries need to look forward, not back

The answer to underfunding is a closer working relationship between actuaries and investment professionals in forecasting investment returns and setting lower discount rates, according to Karen Harris, vice-president in the capital markets research group at Callan Associates, who believes funds cannot rely on investment strategies alone to get them “out of this hole”.mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content

Norway’s SWF makes first property investment

Norges Bank Investment Management, which manages the Norwegian $2,908 billion kroner ($500 billion) Government Pension Fund Global, has made its first property investment following approval by the Norwegian Government to invest in the asset class in March.mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Rebalancing not so simple with diverse beta sources

Simple reblancing of portfolios back to strategic ranges after a market rise or fall is not as simple as you may think, according to a research note from brokers Morgan Stanley. The new investment required after a fall may be surprisingly large.mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

GMO says QE2 set to hit shoals

On the eve of an anticipated second round of quantitative easing – QE2 – a number of commentators, including GMO’s Jeremy Grantham, have criticised Fed’s policy as a large net negative to the production of a healthy, stable economy. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

A 22-year love affair transforms KIC

Everyone asks Scott Kalb, the chief investment officer for the $37 billion Korean Investment Corporation, how he got the job. Scott, as his name suggests, is not Korean. Well, it’s a long story.mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

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