Financial Thought Exchange Podcast

Rob Arnott joins Lotta Moberg, PhD, CFA, to discuss the ideas behind The Active Side of Indexing and challenge common assumptions about passive investing. Arnott explains why traditional market‑cap indices are not as passive as they appear, highlighting how index construction and rebalancing can lead to systematically buying high and selling low. The conversation examines the impact of index inclusion and deletion, turnover dynamics, and overlooked trading costs, as well as the implications for long‑term performance. Arnott also explores momentum, mean reversion, and the growing influence of index funds on market structure, offering a fresh perspective on how investors should think about benchmarks, efficiency, and the relationship between active and passive strategies.

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