Unpacking Quant Aspect's 21% Net Gain in Forex Market Betting

Hello listeners, Brian from quantlabs.net here. In this episode, I discuss an intriguing article I read on hedgeweek.com. The title of the article was 'Quant Aspect Up 21% on Currency Market Bets'. It caught my eye, and I wanted to break it down for you all.

Aspect is a London-based quant hedge fund with a substantial 7.5 billion. It managed to score a 21% return in its flagship fund in 2021, thanks mainly to its currency market and commodities bets. As a result, Aspect scored above the 14% average for trend following funds and 3% average for discretionary macro managers over the same timeframe.

 

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The majority of the firm's returns came from dispersion in currencies and commodities. These were the most profitable areas given that US market performance has been lackluster recently. Commodities, especially gold and silver, were also performing well, although they dropped off a bit due to an expected US market rally.

 

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Aspect’s market-following trading strategies capitalized on a strengthening dollar, shorting the Japanese Yen and the Swiss franc - some of the year's worst-performing major currencies. Furthermore, the firm has been subtly adjusting its commodities position, lowering its stakes in cocoa after a record high while increasing exposure to gold and oil amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East.

What I've noticed is how the US markets have a significant influence on global trading trends. For those interested in delving deeper into this topic, check out the link to my Discord server and join my newsletter at quantlabs.net/books for more insights and free trading tech books in PDF format. Tune in to demystify the complicated world of trading currencies and commodities with me, Brian - your guide to understanding the global market pulse.