RCM Alternatives

11/04/2025

October set a solid tone for the final quarter of 2025, as investors saw encouraging signs across most major asset classes. Equity markets advanced on improving sentiment, while diversified strategies and defensive allocations continued to demonstrate their value.
The latest Asset Class Scoreboard highlights where capital flows are shifting, what investors are watching heading into year‑end, and how different asset classes are positioned for the months ahead.

Read our full October 2025 update for a concise overview of key market trends shaping portfolios:

➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q03RHLPx0

October 2025 kicked off the fourth quarter with solid momentum across most asset classes. U.S. Stocks advanced+2.38% and World Stocks rose+2.06%. These gains pushed year-to-date returns to impressive levels, with U.S. Stocks up +17.38% and World Stocks leading all assets at +29.01%.Managed Futures p...

12/10/2024

📊Want to know what was really on allocators' minds in 2024?

Our Managing Director Jeff Malec just shared some insights - including on AI's role in investing and why the traditional portfolio approach is getting a shake-up.

🤔Curious? Check out the full scoop on our blog! https://hubs.li/Q02_7-120

12/10/2024

📊Want to know what was really on allocators' minds in 2024?

Our Managing Director Jeff Malec just shared some insights - including on A.I.'s role in investing and why the traditional portfolio approach is getting a shake-up.

🤔Curious? Check out the full scoop on our blog! https://hubs.li/Q02_7kpJ0

12/06/2024

End-of-year Wrapped: The Derivative 🎙️

What a ride - another incredible year decoding the world of alternative investments! Jeff Malec has been having a blast bringing you great conversations, making the complex world of alts accessible and entertaining.

The Top 5 Most-Played Episodes:

Diving deep into carry trades with the brilliant minds from ReSolve
Exploring untapped alpha opportunities with Doug Greenig's unique perspective
Market insights from macro trading expert Asim Ghaffar
Options trading mastery with Gary Selz
Next-level ETF modeling with Andrew Beer

Big thanks from the entire RCM team to all our listeners - whether you're an institutional investor, hedge fund manager, or alternative investment enthusiast - for making The Derivative your go-to source for alternative investment insights!

🎧Want to check out one of the top episodes? Find us wherever you get your podcasts: https://hubs.li/Q02-M6260

12/04/2024

📊 November Market Review

The S&P 500 led November returns (+5.96%), followed by U.S. real estate (+4.07%) and hedge funds (+2.29%). Managed futures demonstrated their value with +1.82% amid market shifts.

While global equities faced modest pressure (-0.27%) and commodities declined (-0.75%), diversified positioning across asset classes continued to provide portfolio stability.

As markets process recent policy developments, we maintain our focus on long-term, risk-adjusted returns through disciplined asset allocation.

Read our full analysis: https://hubs.li/Q02-rq1P0

11/20/2024

Remember the days when a trading desk meant 5 screens, endless broker calls, and missing family dinners? I've been there - 6 AM coffee in hand, juggling Asian markets while Europe wakes up.

Here's the reality: Modern investment managers shouldn't have to choose between market expertise and work-life balance. Outsourced trading isn't just a service - it's a complete transformation of how we approach market operations.

Think about it: Why maintain 30+ broker relationships and spend weekends updating algorithms when you could have a dedicated team handling it all? The numbers speak for themselves: $500K+ on market data feeds alone, not counting infrastructure and staffing.
The future of trading isn't about doing it all yourself - it's about smart delegation and strategic partnerships.

Read more➡️https://www.rcmalternatives.com/2024/11/what-is-outsourced-trading/

11/15/2024

🎙️ Markets Watch: When Everything Looks Too Good

On our latest episode Zed Francis of Convexitas shares that High yield spreads have reached levels we haven't seen since just before the Global Financial Crisis - a mere 273 basis points. Let that sink in.

2024 has delivered exceptional risk-adjusted returns, following an already impressive run. And as expected the market is pricing in historically low risk levels, while bullish sentiment seems to be reaching fever pitch, what could go wrong?

Are we seeing echoes of 2007? Tune into our latest episode for a deeper dive into these market dynamics.

🎧 Listen now: https://www.rcmalternatives.com/2024/11/the-polymath-pod-jason-buck-and-zed-francis-talk-rates-vol-and-cheeseburgers/

11/15/2024

🎙️ When Markets Surprise: The Great Cocoa Rally of 2024

Listen in as Jason Buck runs through a valuable lesson Q1 taught us about portfolio construction and recency bias. While stocks were soaring, something interesting was happening in commodities - specifically, cocoa.

Many trend following systems had excluded cocoa because it "hadn't trended in decades." Then suddenly, it delivered one of the most significant trends we've seen in years.

The takeaway? Don't let recency bias blind you to opportunities. Markets that haven't moved in years can suddenly become your portfolio's MVP.

🎧 Dive deeper into this chocolatey discussion in our latest episode: https://www.rcmalternatives.com/2024/11/the-polymath-pod-jason-buck-and-zed-francis-talk-rates-vol-and-cheeseburgers/

11/14/2024

🎙️ Fresh Episode Alert: Where Markets Meet Michelin Stars!

What can the 2016 election teach us about the 2024 election and today's markets? And where to find the world's best burger? Get ready for a deep dive with polymaths Jason Buck and Zed Francis on our last episode of the 2024 season of The Derivative. This episode has it all!

Join Jeff Malec as he hosts Jason Buck and Zed Francis for insights on what has happened in 2024, what’s possible next year, with a side of culinary adventures. From Treasury curves to top-tier restaurants, we're serving up insights on both financial and actual menus.

Topics include:
• 2025 market predictions
• Volatility echoes
• Treasury market moves
• Plus: The Mount Rushmore of Cheeseburgers! 🍔

🎧 Listen now: https://www.rcmalternatives.com/2024/11/the-polymath-pod-jason-buck-and-zed-francis-talk-rates-vol-and-cheeseburgers/

11/13/2024

📢 New Blog Post: October Market Recap 📉

Volatility struck again in October, with most asset classes facing setbacks amid concerns over slowing economic growth and geopolitical tensions.

Read our analysis and insights on the October market performance! 🔗 https://hubs.li/Q02Y5y2D0

11/11/2024

Understanding Market Dynamics Through Options Behavior

How can the price action everyone is viewing in real time provide unique insights? Here's how trader David Sun thinks about it from our latest Derivative episode:

During upward market trends, we see call options expanding in price while put options simultaneously contract. These opposing movements seem obvious at first glance, but David’s take is that each is actually telling their own unique story about market sentiment and momentum.

The real magic lies in understanding the timing and magnitude of these individual movements. By analyzing the rate of expansion and contraction in both calls and puts, he believes we can gain deeper insights into overall market direction.

Want to learn more about reading these market signals? Listen to our latest episode 🎧

https://www.rcmalternatives.com/2024/11/retail-to-institutional-how-david-sun-scaled-his-odte-options-strategies/

11/08/2024

📈 New Derivative Episode: From Retail Trader to Fund Manager - A Conversation with David Sun

Join us for an insightful discussion with options trading expert David Sun, who shares his journey and strategic evolution in the markets. David unpacks his transition from retail trading to professional fund management, offering valuable perspectives on systematic trading approaches and risk management.

Key highlights:
• Strategic evolution in options trading
• Navigating market volatility (2018-2020)
• Risk management techniques that work
• The future of retail trading

Listen now 🎧 https://www.rcmalternatives.com/2024/11/retail-to-institutional-how-david-sun-scaled-his-odte-options-strategies/