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.

Sponsored Content

Leave a Comment

Sort content by

CalPERS’ absolute return mess

Wilshire’s annual review of CalPERS’ internal risk managed absolute return strategies (RMARS) has revealed a number of anomalies compared with its other global equity investments, including an over-reliance on quantitative tools and inadequate staff compensation incentives. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Swedish pension fund collaboration to influence local market

Four of Sweden’s national pension funds (AP1-4) have collaborated with another nine investors to form the Swedish arm of The Sustainable Value Creation, and have already begun surveying the top 100 companies on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm regarding their governance policies and sustainable value creation. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Crisis will force private real estate to go public

Tight credit conditions in the US will diminish the private sector’s monopoly on residential and commercial property, driving assets into public markets and real estate investment trusts (REITs) loaded with cash from a spate of capital raisings. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Commodity investing: papering over the problems

As funds globally review their investment policies, investment consultants are now strongly endorsing commodity investment, with funds generally planning a staged 3 to 6 per cent strategic allocation into commodities. Writing exclusively for conexust1f.flywheelstaging.com, chairman of Mountain Pacific Group, Ronald Liesching, traces the history of commodity investing, highlighting the risks and benefits for pension fund

Russell changes tune on TAA

After a long history of opposition to tactical asset allocation, Russell Investments has not become a convert but is allowing for a “slower twitch” version of the discipline, says global chief investment officer of the consultant and multimanager, Peter Gunning. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

ATP staff reduce own CO2 emissions

Each employee of the $110 billion Danish fund, ATP has saved the environment 300 kilograms of CO2 in one year, according to its first climate change report, which coincides with the fund’s strategic move to focus on climate and environmental considerations within its investment policy. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Previous