​The Chicago Chapter of QWAFAFEW Presents:
Market Timing, Big Data and Machine Learning

Overview
There is a stigma against market timing. This stigma existed for good reasons, but the explosion of vast data sets and new analytical techniques has now made timing the market possible. Just as it was considered irresponsible to time the market over the last 30 years, it will be considered irresponsible NOT to time the market in the next 30 years.

Speakers:
Blair Hull
Chairman, Hull Investments, LLC
and
Matthew Dixon
Assistant Professor of Finance at the Illinois Institute of Technology and the founder of Quiota LLC

Date: Thursday, September 22, 2016
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Venue: To be announced shortly in downtown Chicago

For more information and registration Click Here

There will be light food, drinks and networking until the presentations starts at 5:30pm.

About QWAFAFEW: (pronounced “quaff-a-few”, Quantitative Work Alliance for Applied Finance & Economic Wisdom) is an informal organization for discussions of quantitative investment topics.  QWAFAFEW has active chapters in Chicago, Boston, Hartford, New York, Princeton, Denver, and San Francisco.

NIBA (The Forum for Derivatives Professionals) Presents:

NIBA 25th Anniversary Chicago Conference

This One-day program for Derivatives Professionals will focus on business growth, and include the annual NFA IB and CTA Representatives Report to the Membership.

The annual NIBA Chicago conference is the pinnacle event of the year for our association. This year we come together not only for another great conference but also in celebration of our 25th anniversary. This year promises to be better than ever. Speakers range from industry professionals, TV personalities, subject matter experts, and regulators.

Members in attendance will be eligible to participate in this year's iPad Raffle. In addition, Exchange Analytics will be providing complimentary AML and Cybersecurity Training to attendees (limited supply).

There is no cost for NIBA Members to attend the forum which includes an Exhibit Hall, Lunch and a Networking Reception.
 
Topics Include
Compliance Panel
Managed Futures Panel
Compliance Debate
Lunch Speaker: CME Economist
CME GCC Presentation
NFA Rep Panel
FINTECH Panel 
Business Development Panel

Date: Wed Sept 14th
Time: 8am to 5pm
Venue: CME Group World Headquarters
 
Cocktail reception immediately following the event
 
For more information and registration click here
 
About the NIBA
Established in 1991- the National Introducing Brokers Association (NIBA) is one of the foremost, national recognized organizations representing professionals in the future and options industry. Our members include Introducing Brokers, Commodity Traders Advisors, Futures & Options Exchanges, Futures Commissions Merchants and resource providers to the industry.

CTAEXPO LLC Presents:
​CTA Expo 2016 Chicago

CTA Expo is designed to provide CTA’s and FX Traders the foundation of knowledge they need from both an operational and marketing perspective to raise AUM, and the opportunity to network with Family Offices, Professional Capital Raisers, Individual Investors, Allocators and IRA’s looking to identify trading talent as a source of Alpha. 

CTA Expo also offers speakers on how managers can grow their business, gain access to capital sources, and how allocators can more effectively manage their portfolios. 

The Agenda and Speakers Include: 
​CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN 
Ian Morley Wentworth Hall Consultancy
Welcoming Remarks
Bucky Isaacson and Frank Pusateri (CTA Expo LLC)
 
EMERGING MANAGER SELECTION... WHAT INVESTORS LOOK FOR
Different types of investors look for different characteristics in the managers they invest in.
MODERATOR:
Tim Pickering (CEO - Auspice Capital Management)
PANELIST:
Ernest Jaffarian (CEO - Efficient Capital Management, LLC.)
Ole Rollag (Managing Principal - Murano)
Dimitri Sogoloff (CEO - Horton Point, LLC.)
 
MEDIA… DOES IT WORK? & HOW TO USE IT TO BUILD AUM
Emerging managers often overlook the importance of using the media as an effective marketing tool.
Matthias Knab (FOUNDER - Opalesque Ltd)
 
Cyber Security and its Effect on Investors, Managers and Global Markets
Paul Caiazzo (CEO - TruShield Security Solutions, Inc)
 
GROWING YOUR AUM… HOW BROKERS CAN HELP
Before a manager selects a broker they should consider more than commission rates. MODERATOR:
Buck Haworth (CEO - Born Technology)
PANELIST:
Eric Eiers (ADM Investor Services, Inc)
John Hyde (Wells Fargo)
Robert Cihlar (Dorman Trading LLC)
 
KEYNOTE CONVERSATION
Phupinder Gill and Bucky Isaacson will discuss the state of the Managed Futures Industry, the CME Groups efforts to help that segment of the Alternative Financial Community continue to grow and an overview of where the CME is at and what they expect in the future
PHUPINDER GILL (CEO - CME Group)
Bucky Isaacson (Partner - CTAExpo LLC)
 
BUILDING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN DIFFERENTIATING YOURSELF IN A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT
In their marketing efforts managers give little consideration to branding and how it can be used to help build AUM in a crowded field.
Teresa Alpert (Crimea River Ltd)
 
OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS, SERVICE PROVIDERS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE INVESTMENT DECISION
Before deciding to invest potential clients will look at the Service Providers a manager uses and the manager’s internal operations before committing assets
MODERATOR:
Annette Cazenave (A Cazenave LLC)
PANELIST:
Robert DeMuria (Founder – Compliances Supervisors International Inc)
Brad Janitz (Midland IRA)
Eddie Lund (SVP Business Development – Gemini Fund Services, LLC)
John Hynes (CEO – HedgeFacts International Ltd)
 
REGULATORY CHALLENGES… 2016 AND BEYOND

As the regulatory environment continues to evolve and become more complex compliance becomes more expensive and a bigger factor when evaluating emerging managers.
MODERATOR:
Norma Richmond (Manager, Audit & Assurance - Arthur Bell CPAs)
PANELISTS:
Daniel G. Viola (Partner – Sadis and Goldberg LLP)
Michael Sefton (Baker & McKenzie, LLP)
 
Date: Sept 15th, 2016. 
Venue: UBS Tower, One North Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL
Time: All day (1/2 day event the day before. See CTA site for more information)

Cocktail reception immediately following event

For more information and registration click here
 
​

Summary

• Commodities are often quoted in U.S. dollars, making commodities cheaper or more expensive to the rest of the world based on the direction of the dollar.
• The 12-month and 36-month rolling correlations of $DXY to S&P GSCI note an increasing negative correlation.
• Longer-term directional moves of the U.S. dollar may imply the general direction of commodities as a sector.

I recently spoke at an ETF conference about commodities. During the panel discussion I mentioned that commodities includes a lesser known 
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Follow Mark Shore on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin

Copyright ©2016 Mark Shore. Contact Mark Shore for permission for republication at [email protected] Mark Shore has more than 25 years of experience in the futures markets and managed futures, publishes research, consults on alternative investments and conducts educational workshops.www.shorecapmgmt.com 

Mark Shore is also an Adjunct Professor at DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, where he teaches the only known accredited managed futures course in the country. He is also a Board Member of the Arditti Center for Risk Management at DePaul University.

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. There is risk of loss when investing in futures and options. Futures and options can be a volatile and risky investment; only use appropriate risk capital; this investment is not for everyone. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and are only for educational purposes. Please talk to your financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Chicago QWAFAFEW will hold a meeting focusing on fintech innovation in Chicago and featuring the founders of two cutting-edge Chicago financial technology startups.

Dave Jaberg of GX2 Systems and Euan Sinclair of FactorWave. 

FactorWave brings sophisticated factor-based investing in equities and options to the broader investing public with an exceptional web-based platform. 

GX2 Systems offers traders simultaneous multi-leg trades free from execution or "legging" risk at a streaming quoted price on its innovative platform. 
 
KPMG reports global fintech VC funding will be up 36% over last year’s record at the current funding pace. Chicago’s global prominence in derivative exchanges and its vibrant community of fintech professionals may magnify its role in this wave compared to others.

The meeting offers you a close-up view of two local fintech startups and the opportunity to compare notes and update your expectations about the magnitude of Chicago’s participation in the global fintech innovation wave.  
 
Both speakers will touch on these key themes:

• Conception of the startup idea
• Getting the ball rolling
• Demonstration of key platform functionalities
• Reception of the idea and the product  

There will be generous time for questions and discussion.
 
Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Venue: The Chicago Board of Options Exchange, 400 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL
Time: Doors open at 5pm for conversation, light food and drinks. Event begins at 5:30pm and officially ends at 7pm.

Admission is $15 in advance (or $20 at the door) with light food and drinks provided. IIT students will be admitted at no charge. Other students and unemployed $10. 

​Purchase tickets or reserve a seat (space available) via 
TicketLeap (at chicagoqwafafew.ticketleap.com/chicago-fin-tech.)
 
QWAFAFEW is an informal organization for discussions of quantitative investment topics. QWAFAFEW has active chapters in Chicago, Boston, Hartford, New York, Denver, Princeton, and San Francisco.
 
*********************************************************************
Current Chicago QWAFAFEW Steering Committee members:

• Adam Cohen, Zacks Investment Research, Inc.
• Barry Feldman, IMCI, LLC
• Ben Johnson, Morningstar, Inc.
• Mark Shore, Shore Capital Research and DePaul University
• Matthew Moran, Chicago Board Options Exchange
• Ram Ben-David, Eckhardt Trading Company

Recent emeritus members:

• Cindy Tsai, Environment Envisioned, Inc.
• Peter Carl, William Blair and Company
• Steve Greiner, Charles Schwab

 

By Mark Shore

It has been three years and twelve articles since I began writing the VSTOXX® newsletter. Timing seemed right (and perhaps 3 is a Fibonacci series inspired moment) to update the data of some of my past articles. Upcoming newsletters will include updated articles as well as new articles. This article updates Spreading European and U.S. Volatility Index Futures I wrote in August 2013.

Liquidity is always important to an investor or trader. Table 1 gives readers an overview of the VSTOXX® Futures liquidity over the last years.
READ MORE

Follow Mark Shore on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin
​

Copyright ©2016 Mark Shore. Contact Mark Shore for permission for republication at [email protected] 

Mark Shore has more than 25 years of experience in the futures markets and managed futures, publishes research, consults on alternative investments & conducts educational workshops.
www.shorecapmgmt.com email: [email protected]

Mark Shore is also an Adjunct Professor at DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, where he teaches the only known accredited managed futures course in the country. He is also a Board Member of the Arditti Center for Risk Management at DePaul University.

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. There is risk of loss when investing in futures and options. Futures and options can be a volatile and risky investment; only use appropriate risk capital; this investment is not for everyone. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and are only for educational purposes. Please talk to your financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

By Mark Shore
​
My last article discussed the advantages of a traditional portfolio allocating to a volatility index. The article concluded that the allocation to VSTOXX® Futures may offer advantages for a traditional portfolio of 60 percent stocks and 40 percent bonds. This article asks a similar question, what if the portfolio was only European bonds; would the allocation to a volatility index such as the VSTOXX® Index offer added value to a bond portfolio?

Investors will often perceive each component of their portfolio as standalone investments. However, the components should be viewed for how well they complement the portfolio. Think of it is a holistic approach to portfolio management. My prior analysis of a 60/40 portfolio allocating to the VSTOXX® Index was more direct as the EURO STOXX 50® Index is the underlying market for the VSTOXX® volatility index. However this analysis of bonds to VSTOXX® is a little more intricate because the relationship of the two markets is not necessarily direct, but they are connected.

Liquidity is always important to an investor or trader. Table 1 gives readers an 
READ MORE

Follow Mark Shore on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin
​

Copyright ©2015 Mark Shore. Contact Mark Shore for permission for republication at [email protected] 

Mark Shore has more than 25 years of experience in the futures markets and managed futures, publishes research, consults on alternative investments & conducts educational workshops.
www.shorecapmgmt.com email: [email protected]

Mark Shore is also an Adjunct Professor at DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, where he teaches the only known accredited managed futures course in the country. He is also a Board Member of the Arditti Center for Risk Management at DePaul University.

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. There is risk of loss when investing in futures and options. Futures and options can be a volatile and risky investment; only use appropriate risk capital; this investment is not for everyone. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and are only for educational purposes. Please talk to your financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

CFA Chicago & the Options Industry Council (OIC) Present:

Managing Volatility – The New Normal



This event will feature two panel discussions by industry experts:
Panel 1: The use of options by institutions
Moderator: Joseph F. Burguyne III: OIC
Speakers:
Xerxes K. Bhote: MKM Partners
Stacey Gilbert: Susquehanna Financial Group
April Heitz: DRW Holdings LLC
 
Panel 2: The emergence of volatility as a tradable asset
Moderator: Russell Rhoads: Options Institute at CBOE
Speakers:
Mark Sebastian
Mark Shore: Shore Capital Research LLC & DePaul University
Mike Thompson, CFA: Typhon Capital Management
 
Date:  Wed June 8th
Time: 5pm to 8pm
Venue: Chicago Board of Options Exchange, 400 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60605
Reception immediately following
 
For more information and registration click here

NIBA Presents:
2016 NIBA New York Conference

Join fellow IBs, CTAs, CPOs, APs, regulatory officials and futures industry service providers including the exchanges, FCMs, legal, accounting, compliance, technology, marketing and more for an afternoon of learning, discussion, and networking. 

From the economy to compliance, the futures and commodities space is more complex than ever with new challenges and opportunities. Join your peers for the future industry's leading and only non-for-profit conference and participate in the conversation that effects how you do business. Stay informed and grow your business. 


Metals Update -- James Steel, HSBC

Changing Ownership of Crude Futures Open Interest/Status of Barrel Ownership-- Albert Helmig, Grey House

Oil & Gas: All Stored Up with Nowhere to Go -- 
Brian Milne, Schneider Electric 

Cybersecurity Compliance -- 
Rob Demuria, Compliance Supervisors, Panel Leader
Ted Theisen, UnitedLex
Amy McCormick, National Futures Association
Michael Brice, BW CyberServices

Networking Cocktail reception immediately following the conference

Date: Wednesday April 20, 2016
Time: 1:30pm to 5pm
Venue: New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park South, New York, N 10019

For more information and registration click here

Established in 1991—NIBA  - The association for derivatives professionals is one of the foremost, nationally recognized organizations representing professionals in the futures and options industry. Members include Introducing Brokers, Commodity Trading Advisors, Futures and Options Exchanges,Futures Commissions Merchants and resource providers to the industry.
​