Armed with a PhD in economics and policy experience, Dave Bizer hit Wall Street, landing at Lehman Brothers in structured equity derivatives in the early 1990’s. A deep background in options pricing theory notwithstanding, he soon found that concepts like Ito’s Lemma were less important than helping clients solve practical problems like hedging equity risk in a tax efficient manner. Developing a keen understanding of the tax code as it pertained to derivatives, Dave was among the innovators in product development in this area. Leaving the US for London in the pre-GFC period, Dave was head of European and EMEA Fixed Income. Our conversation explores the investor appetite for European structured products and the manner in which risks can be recycled to hedge funds.

Turning to Dave’s transition to the buy-side, we learn of the framework he utilizes at GCW, the wealth management firm he co-founded.  Dave shares his views on equilibrium option pricing, seeing the clearing price for insurance as generally reflecting a risk-averse investor’s desire to truncate the potential for unwanted outcomes. On the long side of the portfolio, Dave and team believe that there is tremendous price discovery already incorporated into liquid, on the run public equities and, as a result, finding real alpha is difficult. The search for superior risk-adjusted returns is better focused in understanding complex, difficult to value situations that may be found in smaller cap equities or in private markets.

I hope you enjoy this episode of the Alpha Exchange, my conversation with Dave Bizer.