SI404: When Trend Following Meets Equities ft. Eric Crittenden & Andrew Beer

Trend following has long promised and delivered diversification, crisis protection and uncorrelated returns. Yet many investors still struggle to hold it through difficult periods. In this conversation, Andrew Beer and Eric Crittenden explore why that gap exists and how combining trend following with equities may create a more durable portfolio. Together with Niels Kaastrup-Larsen discuss the rise of managed futures ETFs, the debate between simplicity and complexity in systematic investing, and why algorithmic discipline allows investors to act when intuition fails. The episode also examines portfolio construction, product design and the evolving role of alternatives in a changing investment landscape.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT’s TRUE ? – most CIO’s read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Andrew on Twitter.Follow Eric on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the Systematic Investor series and the week's guests02:19 - Eric reflects on recent market trends and challenging periods for trend followers03:15 - Andrew shares optimism about AI, innovation and technological progress06:25 - Elon Musk, SpaceX and the future of technological disruption09:22 - The evolution of managed futures ETFs and the growing demand for alternative strategies15:58 - How ETF liquidity works and why portfolio construction matters19:40 - The case for combining equities and trend following into one portfolio21:37 - Eric explains the philosophy behind his multi asset approach31:15 - Product design, allocator behavior and why diversification often fails in practice40:44 - Simplicity versus complexity in systematic investing46:58 - Why elegant models often fail in real world markets57:05 - Sharpe ratios, diversification and combining multiple return streams59:52 - Andrew introduces the idea of Contrarian Tactical Alpha01:02:55 - Eric on algorithmic discipline and why trends are uncomfortable to follow01:05:26 - Final thoughts on trend following, risk management and portfolio constructionCopyright © 2025 – CMC AG – All Rights Reserved----PLUS: Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways I can help you in your investment Journey:1. eBooks that cover key topics that you need to know about In my