Excess Returns is an investing podcast hosted by Jack Forehand and Justin Carbonneau, partners at Validea Capital Management. Justin and Jack discuss a wide ran...
Building Intelligent Alpha Portfolios with ChatGPT | Doug Clinton
In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with Doug Clinton of Intelligent Alpha to explore the fascinating intersection of AI and investment strategy. We discussed how Doug is using large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to build portfolios that aim to beat the market over time.
Doug shares insights from his experience launching managing AI-powered investment strategies. We dive deep into how these models actually work behind the scenes, exploring everything from portfolio construction and stock selection to position sizing and rebalancing. Doug explains how LLMs can combine quantitative and qualitative analysis in ways that traditional quant models can't, while maintaining the advantage of being free from emotional biases that often plague human investors.
We also explore broader implications for the future of investment management, discussing whether AI might eventually replace human analysts and portfolio managers, or if the future lies in human-AI collaboration. The conversation wraps up with Doug's thoughts on the rapid evolution of AI technology beyond investing, including his predictions for personal AI assistants and the potential emergence of artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Whether you're an investment professional curious about AI's role in the industry or simply interested in understanding how technology is reshaping asset management, this episode offers valuable insights into what the future might hold.
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Beyond the Magnificent Seven: Liz Ann Sonders on Markets, Cycles & Investing
In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab, for a wide-ranging discussion about markets, the economy, and investing. We explore her unique perspective on the current market environment, including her views on the end of the "Great Moderation" era and the transition to what she calls the "Temperamental Era" - a period likely to bring more volatility in both inflation and economic growth.
Liz Ann shares invaluable insights about the importance of looking beyond headline index numbers to understand what's really happening in markets, the difference between behavioral and attitudinal sentiment indicators, and why changes in economic trends often matter more than absolute levels. We also discuss the evolution of market structure, including the impact of passive investing, and she shares some of the most important lessons she learned from working with legendary investor Marty Zweig.
Drawing on her decades of experience, Liz Ann explains why investors should focus less on trying to predict the future and more on making sound decisions along the way. Whether you're interested in understanding current market dynamics or looking for timeless investing wisdom, this conversation offers something for investors at every level.
Join us for this insightful discussion where we break down complex market topics into understandable concepts that can help inform your investment decisions.
SEE LATEST EPISODES
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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VALIDEA
https://www.validea.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VALIDEA CAPITAL
https://www.valideacapital.com
FOLLOW JACK
Twitter: https://twitter.com/practicalquant
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-forehand-8015094
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1:02:10
The One Factor That Explains the Struggles of Value, International and Small-Cap Stocks | Kai Wu
In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with Kai Wu, founder of Sparkline Capital, for a fascinating discussion about intangible value investing and its global applications. Kai shares his expertise on using machine learning and natural language processing to identify companies rich in intellectual property, brand equity, human capital, and network effects.
We explore why U.S. firms have historically outperformed many international counterparts, with Kai explaining how the gap in intangible asset investment has been a crucial factor.
We discuss:
How traditional value metrics miss important aspects of modern company value
The four pillars of intangible value: IP, brand equity, human capital, and network effects
Why international markets have lagged the U.S. and how intangible value can help close this gap
The role of AI and machine learning in modern investment analysis
A surprising analysis of global patent leadership
This episode offers valuable insights for investors interested in both value investing and international diversification. Whether you're a quantitative investor or just interested in understanding how modern companies create value, you'll find plenty to think about in this discussion.
SEE LATEST EPISODES
https://excessreturnspod.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VALIDEA
https://www.validea.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VALIDEA CAPITAL
https://www.valideacapital.com
FOLLOW JACK
Twitter: https://twitter.com/practicalquant
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-forehand-8015094
FOLLOW JUSTIN
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjcarbonneau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcarbonneau
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1:00:48
Do You Really Need International Diversification? 10 Top Investors Debate
In this episode, we explore one of investing's most debated topics: international diversification. Through clips from 10 different investing experts, we examine whether U.S. investors truly need international exposure in their portfolios.
Key topics include:
What actually constitutes "international exposure" in today's interconnected markets
Why U.S. stocks have dominated for so long and whether this trend can continue
The role of currency exposure in international investing
How passive investing flows affect international markets
Different perspectives on optimal international allocation strategies
Featuring insights from renowned investors and experts including Corey Hoffstein, Meb Faber, Dan Rasmussen, Larry Swedroe, Cullen Roche, Dan Villalon, Rick Ferri, Jason Buck, Mike Green, and Andy Constan, this episode offers a nuanced look at the complexities of global investing and helps viewers understand the various approaches to international diversification.
Whether you're wondering if you should invest internationally or questioning your current allocation, this discussion provides valuable perspectives to help inform your investment decisions.
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56:37
Redefining Value Investing in a Magnificent Seven Dominated World | Jacob Pozharny
In this episode of Excess Returns, hosts Jack Forehand and Justin Carbonneau sit down with Jacob Pozharny, partner at Bridgeway Capital Management, to explore the increasingly important role of intangible assets in modern investing.
Jacob breaks down what intangible assets are - from intellectual property and proprietary algorithms to brand value and customer relationships - and explains how these harder-to-measure assets are changing traditional investment approaches. He discusses Bridgeway's pioneering research on "intangible intensity" and how it affects their investment strategy, particularly for high vs. low intangible companies.
Key topics covered:
How intangible assets complicate traditional valuation metrics
Why sentiment analysis matters more for high-intangible companies
The implications of AI for intangible asset valuation
Bridgeway's approach to long-short investing
International investing opportunities and market efficiency
The importance of understanding model assumptions and staying humble as an investor
Whether you're interested in quantitative investing, understanding modern valuation frameworks, or keeping up with evolving market dynamics, this conversation offers valuable insights into how one of the industry's leading firms approaches these challenges.
SEE LATEST EPISODES
https://excessreturnspod.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VALIDEA
https://www.validea.com
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VALIDEA CAPITAL
https://www.valideacapital.com
FOLLOW JACK
Twitter: https://twitter.com/practicalquant
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-forehand-8015094
FOLLOW JUSTIN
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjcarbonneau
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcarbonneau
Excess Returns is an investing podcast hosted by Jack Forehand and Justin Carbonneau, partners at Validea Capital Management. Justin and Jack discuss a wide range of investing topics, including factor investing, value investing, momentum investing and behavioral finance, and talk to interesting guests with the goal of helping those who watch and listen become better long term investors.
Brasil