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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SWFs eye offshore deals after quiet Q1

Hurt by mark-to-market losses and exercising caution in the face of an unforgiving investment environment, sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) made only 26 investments, worth $6.8 billion, in the first quarter of 2009 – their lowest deployment of capital since the fourth quarter of 2005. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Caisse pulls out of risky real estate after $5 billion write-down

Canada’s largest pension fund manager, the C$120 billion ($108 billion) Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, has restructured its real estate group and ceased investing in the mezzanine and subordinated loans sector after suffering more than $4.5 billion in losses on its real estate and private equity portfolio in the first half of the

….. as 14-member international advisory board named

The CIC has named a 14-member International Advisory Council, which will advise the board and senior management on issues including portfolio development, strategy, and overseas investments. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

CIC to invest cash, as global portfolio returns – 2.1 % for the year…

CIC is poised to invest more than 80 per cent of the assets still allocated to cash in its $100 billion global portfolio, as it outlined in its first annual report to stakeholders it”cannot achieve its goals without productively deploying its capital”. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

UK funds lead charge on ESG

The £3.6 billion ($5.9 billion) London Pensions Fund Authority has recently beefed up its internal environmental, social and governance capabilities, resulting in more effective engagement, including with the Mayor of London. Kristen Paech talks to chief executive Mike Taylor about LPFA’s short, medium and long-term objectives for ESG and why the fund has taken matters

Reorienting retirement risk management

The Pension Research Council, part of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, recently hosted the 2009 Wharton Impact Conference, where leading academics, public pension sponsors and their advisors met to examine ways to reformulate and restructure retirement risk management. This is a summary of the proceedings, organised by Olivia Mitchell and Robert Clark.

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