Financial Thought Exchange Podcast

Marcos López de Prado, PhD and Vincent Zoonekynd, PhD, of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority discuss their Research Foundation brief, Causality and Factor Investing: A Primer. They explore why many factor models fail, the risks of confounder and collider bias, and why factor investing requires a causal—not purely statistical—approach. Learn how causal graphs and theory-driven methods can improve attribution and model design. A must-watch for quantitative researchers and finance professionals seeking deeper insights into risk premia and robust factor modeling.

What is Financial Thought Exchange Podcast?

The Financial Thought Exchange Podcast offers listeners invaluable insights from top financial thought leaders across various sectors. Whether you're a financial analyst, investor, or simply interested in the "inside baseball" of the financial world, this podcast provides access to some of the most influential people shaping the industry.

Brought to you by the CFA Institute Research Foundation, the Financial Thought Exchange is your go-to resource for staying informed and gaining a deeper understanding of the finance industry's most pressing topics. Tune in for interviews with industry pioneers, expert analyses, and actionable insights you can apply in your own financial journey.

Financial Thought Exchange is the official podcast and video channel of the CFA Institute Research Foundation.

Check out our peer-reviewed research here: https://rpc.cfainstitute.org/en/research