When we first opened Dunn Capital’s latest paper on trend following, we’ll admit we braced ourselves for another round of the usual talking points. You know the ones: “negative correlation,” “crisis alpha,” “diversification benefits”—all true, but frankly, we’ve heard it all before. The trend following community has been singing from the same hymnal for decades, […]
Author: rcm-alternatives
02
Sep
2025
World stocks lead august surge: broad-based rally lifts most assets
August 2025 delivered strong performance across most asset classes, led by World Stocks with an impressive +4.12% gain. U.S. Stocks followed with a solid +2.05% return, while U.S. Real Estate posted a strong +2.91% gain for the month. Hedge Funds continued their positive momentum with a +1.51% return in August. Bonds also participated in the […]
29
Aug
2025
Solo Summer Six-Pack: Talking Trend, AI, Leverage, and Hurricanes
Join Jeff Malec for a special solo “6-pack” episode where he tackles six topics on his mind during the summer podcast break. Jeff starts by examining the challenging trend following drawdown that’s been plaguing the markets, sharing insights from his 25 years in the space and why this one feels different. He pays tribute to […]
26
Aug
2025
When Football Futures Meet Financial Futures: FanDuel’s Perfect Timing
Talk about timing! Today, FanDuel is celebrating its cheeky “Futures Day” campaign—inviting fans to bet on the upcoming football season, while also making waves for a much bigger reason: its brand-new joint venture with CME Group to launch a non-clearing Futures Commission Merchant (FCM). You couldn’t script that kind of overlap if you tried. On […]
21
Aug
2025
Common Diversification Misconceptions
“Diversification Limits Returns” Some investors believe that spreading investments across various assets, a practice known as diversification, necessarily reduces potential returns. Let’s examine this belief. Reality: The core purpose of diversification is not to maximize returns but to manage risk. [1][2] However, by mitigating losses during downturns, a diversified portfolio can achieve more consistent growth […]
07
Aug
2025
Beyond Traditional Trend: Leveraging Experience, Short Term, and Crypto with Mike Stendler
In this episode of The Derivative, Jeff Malec sits down with Mike Stendler of O’Brien Investment Group to explore their history and evolution of trend following strategies. Stendler shares insights into their innovative approach, blending traditional trend models with machine learning techniques across multiple time frames. They dive deep into the evolution of quantitative trading, […]
05
Aug
2025
Commodities Extend Rally as World Stocks Retreat in July
July 2025 presented a mixed picture across asset classes, with Commodities leading the charge for the second consecutive month with a +3.45% gain. U.S. Stocks continued their momentum with a solid +2.30% return, while World Stocks pulled back -1.12% after their strong June performance. The commodity surge pushed this asset class to +4.73% year-to-date, representing […]
31
Jul
2025
Beef Prices at All-Time Highs: Inside the Meat Markets with Jeff Apel of Wharton Capital
In this episode of The Derivative, Jeff Malec sits down with Jeff Apel, principal at Wharton Capital Management, to dive deep into the current cattle market. With beef prices hitting near-record highs, Apel shares his extensive experience from the trading floor to today’s futures markets, explaining the complex dynamics behind rising meat prices. From drought […]
29
Jul
2025
Beyond 60/40: The New Playbook for Portfolio Survival
Lunch & Learn Recap: Four Investment Innovators Share Their Market-Beating Strategies at CME Group A packed room of RIAs and institutional investors filled CME Group’s headquarters on Tuesday, July 22nd for what turned out to be one of our most engaging lunch and learns of the year. With seersucker jackets presenting and RCM’s Jeff Malec […]
28
Jul
2025
Beef Is the New Egg? Why Meat Prices Are Skyrocketing
Posted by RCM Ag Services Grocery shoppers are feeling the heat, and this time, it’s not just from the grill. Beef prices have climbed to new highs in 2025, becoming the latest symbol of inflation and supply chain strain. What’s behind the surge? A historically small U.S. cattle herd, years of poor feed yard margins, […]
