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From Zero-Beta to Alpha Generation

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 Guy R. Fleury, Independent Computer Software Professional

 Friday, July 21, 2017

Recently, I got interested in zero-beta stock trading strategies after reading on Quantopian's preference for such strategies. I always found them to be less productive profit-wise than other methods that would correlate more closely with the market. I got to dig deeper and had to change my mind. One of Quantopian's forum members put out a zero-beta trading strategy that I found interesting as having some potential for me to modify and improve. It took a few tests to appreciate the trading logic conveyed by this strategy and see how it behaved over time.


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7 comments on article "From Zero-Beta to Alpha Generation"

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 private private,

 Monday, July 24, 2017



Quantopian wants market neutral exposure because they're only interested in factor exposure. That way have a better handle on correlations so can reduce factor concentration. Also likely better Sharpes over the long run.


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 Guy R. Fleury, Independent Computer Software Professional

 Monday, July 24, 2017



@Jason, yes. But, this will be done at the expense of a higher CAGR. This is what those tests demonstrated. You can not have your lunch and no risk at the same time. If you want a higher CAGR you will have to do more. This stock market game over the long term is a compounding game. And, this makes a world of difference.


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 private private,

 Tuesday, July 25, 2017



You can also have strategy that goes long and short the whole market (via futures) that exhibits a beta of zero versus the passive long only. Then return enhancement matter is then typically not an issue


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 Guy R. Fleury, Independent Computer Software Professional

 Tuesday, July 25, 2017



@Jason, I would add that every alpha point above average market return has to be paid for in some way or other. You can get it by adding more skills to the job, and by taking more risks. But, somehow, you will have to pay for it.

The article showed, in its last chart, the impact of a single 1% increase in alpha points with what it could mean to a portfolio once it had reached a certain level. Just based on that extra 1% alpha, the efforts needed, even with the added expenses in order to get it, were more than justified. In the beginning this 1% extra would not mean much, it is with time that it gains importance due to compounding.

It is what anyone playing this game should strive for, even if at first they do not know how. With persistence, they should eventually get it. I do not see what was presented in those tests as hard since in my view anyone with the means could do it.


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 Guy R. Fleury, Independent Computer Software Professional

 Tuesday, July 25, 2017



@Patrick, yes, but not at that level. You could in the beginning while your portfolio is relatively small. The cost would be a reduced alpha when you could have done better. Return enhancements is all what this game is about.

As the portfolio increases, it will become harder and harder to flip the portfolio in any meaningful manner. Position size will get too large, and everybody will see you coming. Long before the end, you will have to reduce your trading activity which will, in turn, reduce your overall alpha.

Even if you redesigned the strategy to catch up towards the end. You would have missed more than what that extra 1% alpha represented as a long term profit opportunity. A stock trading strategy needs to be viable all the way to its termination time T.

Note that the strategy is long and short with a bias to the upside. It maintains a net long exposure.


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 Eli Weiss, System Developer at Sole Proprietor

 Wednesday, July 26, 2017



Like the idea well done nothing much to add you did a real good job covering almost all the basis. Enjoyed the paper a lot


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 Guy R. Fleury, Independent Computer Software Professional

 Thursday, July 27, 2017



What the article is trying to say is that every portfolio should look for its high alpha trading strategy since it could over the long term represent close to almost the entire portfolio's CAGR. To reach those levels, you have to plan for the long term and design your trading strategy accordingly.

The only way to show you could do it, is to show it could have been done.

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