Niederhoffer thinks "follow the trend" sucks

Reread what I said

I quoted you verbatim. But since you insist, I'll requote:

Lets [sic] take Fama/French 3-factor model as an example. By defining rate of return in terms of market cap and book-to-market ratio they provided a 'definition' for momentum.
 
I would love to continue to discuss this issue should you be interested, but lets get out of this thread!

My native language is not english so discussing about definitions of words is difficult if not impossible. It's a pity because I like to discuss (but not like MS) about trading.
Because it is so difficult for me to see the (sometimes very) small differences between two descriptions, I limit myself to my trading. It doesn't matter how it is called, my performance will show me what is optimal to do.
 
Others point at the giant trend funds as "evidence". Can it get any worse?
You don't find it ironic that the industry Niederhoffer predicted would "disappear because its basic approach is flawed" 11 years ago is still here and managing 100's of billions. And it's Niederhoffer who disappeared instead as he was flushed out of the markets. Wouldn't you call that poetic justice?
 
You don't find it ironic that the industry Niederhoffer predicted would "disappear because its basic approach is flawed" 11 years ago is still here and managing 100's of billions. And it's Niederhoffer who disappeared instead as he was flushed out of the markets. Wouldn't you call that poetic justice?

Marketsurfer has probably an explanation for that. Or he can ask it to Viktor the next time when they play tennis at Viktor's court. If not he can call Icahn, because he knows him too. But Icahn does not know Marketsurfer....
 
This is completely wrong.

You might be confusing FF-3 with Carhart-4... The Carhart four-factor model is an extension of the Fama–French three-factor model including a momentum factor...

If FF-3 already encapsulated momentum, there'd be no need for Carhart's augmentation.

I am going to attempt to address this from a different angle.

Carthart four-factor model extended FF 3-factor model by introducing a momentum factor. So, FF's alpha term is further split up. For the purposes of my previous post, this extension does not matter. The idea I am trying to communicate is that one could take FF 3-factor model as a definition of 'trend' and construct a momentum portfolio around it.

Sure once could use Carthart's model and, may be, create a 'better' portfolio by including momentum as a factor. But that is not the point of my previous post -- it was about how a definition of 'trend' (momentum) can be unique.

Regards,
Monoid.
 
I don't understand your argument. What are you trying to say?

What I am saying is that FF's 3-factor model as defined, can be used as a 'definition' for momentum (of rate of return) when constructing a momentum investing portfolio. Do you disagree with it?

Monoid.

You just keep repeating yourself. A one trick pony?
 
You don't find it ironic that the industry Niederhoffer predicted would "disappear because its basic approach is flawed" 11 years ago is still here and managing 100's of billions. And it's Niederhoffer who disappeared instead as he was flushed out of the markets. Wouldn't you call that poetic justice?

I think you should ask the trend fund investors how they did rather than the manager salesman.

The giant trend operations run multiple funds. They quietly close the non performers and tout the winners.

No comparison-- vic is a tiny minnow compared to the giants.

He may still be correct, just early.

surf
 
This warrants a response. Let me try to provide more color so that my comment -- the way you define 'trend' (or 'momentum') could, in by-itself', be an 'edge' -- is a little more clear.

In trend based strategies, there are two ways of looking at the problem: (a) Have a 'unique' definition of 'trend' and have a simple trading strategy around it; or, (b) Have a 'generalized' definition of 'trend' and have a 'unique' trading strategy around it.

Unique Definition of Trend

Lets take Fama/French 3-factor model as an example. By defining rate of return in terms of market cap and book-to-market ratio they provided a 'definition' for momentum. This definition is unique. Had they not revealed this to the world, this definition of momentum would have been their 'edge'. Like all other things in financial markets, when people start copying a strategy, the 'edge' disappears. So, one has to find a different 'definition' for momentum that would provided a sustainable 'edge'. This is where, in my opinion, all the work is.

Generalized Definition of Trend

A similar explanation can also be given for disappearance of 'edge' when 'momentum' (or trend) is defined based on price in terms of 'higher-highs' and 'lower-lows'. Hence, there needs to be some 'additional' input. I am deliberately being vague here. This 'input' could be part of trend definition, which would make the definition of trend 'unique'; or, the 'input' could be part of the trading strategy, which would make the trading strategy unique thereby providing an 'edge' -- statistical edge.

Because of the two ways of looking at the problem, providing an overarching comprehensive definition of trend is quite impossible. Herein lies the problem for a meaningful debate based on semantics.

Unlike momentum strategies, in a mean-reverting strategy where one is 'playing' co-integrated pairs, the 'idea' itself is not important 'cos these strategies are not impacted by liquidity and positioning issues -- in other words, liquidity and positioning are very important issues to contend with in momentum strategies, where as, they are non-issues for mean-reverting strategies. Because of this, ideas of mean-reverting strategies, even when exposed, continue to work. When people understand this, they will know why 'trend-followers' don't reveal their strategies to others to test!

I would love to continue to discuss this issue should you be interested, but lets get out of this thread!

As a side note (not that it concerns you): there are some posts here which confuse 'mean-reversion' and 'counter-trend' trading. I hope they understand that for one to trade 'counter-trend', one has to first define 'trend'. It is just that those 'counter-trend' traders are betting of the "wind to die down after the kite is in motion" where as the 'trend' traders are betting that the "wind will continue after the kite is in motion". Debating which one is better is just silly!

Regards,
Monoid.

That would be a nice thread and with your weight here participation might be quite good.

Can you tell how rare your method of trend or momentum definition is? You may see a few
similar minded traders doing the same thing, right?

Not at all fishing here, well..... , but its the concept that is new to me.
 
I think you should ask the trend fund investors how they did rather than the manager salesman.No comparison-- vic is a tiny minnow compared to the giants.He may still be correct, just early.
We are not even talking about performance, Surf. We're talking about the growth or demise of a class of funds. The trendfollowing industry now manages about twice the money it managed in 2004 -- the year Niederhoffer predicted its demise. You honestly think 11 years is a tad early?

How long do you think we'll have to wait before you will admit Niederhoffer was wrong? 15 years? 25 years?
 
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