Scientific Beta

This webinar will discuss why robustness is essential for investors using smart beta strategies and will describe the sources of deficiencies. It will also explain the need for robustness checks in performance analysis of such strategies and the various methods by which Scientific Beta improves robustness. Finally, it will assess the robustness of a set of competitor and Scientific Beta indices both from an index design point of view and through the lens of Scientific Beta's robustness measurement protocol.

Overview

Assessing the robustness of smart beta strategies should play a central role for investors in their due diligence process. Such strategies often experience an out-of-sample degradation of performance compared to that presented in the historical in-sample period. Investors should always check that interesting in-sample results are complemented by a consistent construction framework and transparency on the methodology and implementation from the side of the strategy provider. 

They should also be able to measure the robustness directly using appropriate tools and metrics in order to cross-check whether the strategy's behaviour is consistent with its stated objective. This way, they can be in a better place to select those strategies that will perform out-of-sample in a manner consistent with their historical (simulated) profile. 

However, assessing the robustness of a strategy based on historical simulations can become challenging due to sample dependence. 

This webinar will discuss why robustness is essential for investors using smart beta strategies and will describe the sources of deficiencies. It will also explain the need for robustness checks in performance analysis of such strategies and the various methods by which Scientific Beta improves robustness. Finally, it will assess the robustness of a set of competitor and Scientific Beta indices both from an index design point of view and through the lens of Scientific Beta's robustness measurement protocol.

Hosts

Dimitris Korovilas, PhD, Investment Product Specialist, Scientific Beta
 
Dimitris Korovilas, PhD, is an Investment Specialist in the Business Development Division of Scientific Beta. Prior to joining Scientific Beta in 2019, he held a Vice President position in the Investment Strategies division of investment bank Citigroup. He has worked on a range of topics including equity factor indices, multi-asset risk premia, portfolio construction and volatility-based strategies. He holds a PhD in finance from the ICMA Centre, Henley Business School in the UK and a Master’s degree from the same school. His doctoral research has appeared in international academic journals.
 
Eric Shirbini, PhD, Global Research and Investment Solutions Director, Scientific Beta
 
Eric Shirbini, PhD, is Global Research and Investment Solutions Director with Scientific Beta. Prior to joining Scientific Beta in 2011, Eric worked for close to twenty years as a quantitative analyst for investment banks including UBS, BNP Paribas and Nomura International. During this time he worked on a diverse range of topics including multi-factor models, fundamental stock valuation, equity market indices, portfolio construction and portfolio trading. At Nomura International, he served as Director of Quantitative Research and at BNP Paribas, he managed a team of analysts who were responsible for the Global Equity Research Database. He has also served for over twenty years on index management committees. He holds a B.Sc. and a Ph.D. from University College London and an MBA from CASS Business School.
 
Date/Time
 
Thursday 16 July, 2020 at 4.00pm CET.
 
Registration
 
To participate in the webinar, please visit the dedicated registration page.