Nelson Freeburg was the editor of Formula Research, a newsletter that developed systematic timing models for the stock, bond, and commodity markets.
He was also a research consultant working with institutional money managers to design proprietary timing models.
Nelson had been an active trader since 1980 and occasionally spoke about his work to audiences around the world.
In this episode, Linda Raschke shares the work of Nelson, his approach to model development and what we can learn by studying his work.
Sponsor
Topics discussed
- Timing models and the components Nelson used in his models
- Russell growth vs Russell value model
- Out of sample testing and sample size
- Why Nelson focused so much on reducing drawdown
- Nelsons biggest strengths in modelling and what we can learn from his approach
- Using voting systems for trading
- The benefits of overlaying models
Resources mentioned in this episode
- The formula research paper Linda mentions in our chat can be downloaded from here
- Nelson also did an interview with Larry Connors on developing the perfect trading system, here is part 1 and part 2
Watch this presentation by Nelson for the MTA
Share a quote with your trading friends
Transcript
Got A Question, Topic or Guest you want to see on the Podcast?
Do you have a specific question, topic or guest you’d like to see on a future podcast episode?
Click here and submit your suggestion for a chance to have it featured on an upcoming podcast episode.
Subscribe to Better System Trader and never miss another episode!
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Please support the podcast by giving an honest Rating/Review for the show on iTunes!
Episode Released:
29 May 2016
Hi Andrew, I was a subscriber to Nelson Freeburg’s Formula Research since early 2000. And I had purchased every back issue he had ever published. It was the best bargain in this entire financial services industry.
It began as a monthly newsletter but quickly became an irregular publication as he decided to only publish if he felt that he had found something worthwhile.
It is unfortunate that people can’t just purchase old issues and I have considered scanning my copies and making this resource available but am uncertain about copyright issues, etc. The markets are always changing and many of the models may no longer be of use but there is a lot of learning material in there.
Thanks to Linda and you for the podcast that helps give some recognition to a very modest man who was many years ahead of his time in the realm of quantitative analysis.
Larry P.
Thanks Larry, it is a shame his material is no longer easily accessible so we’re more than happy to provide some recognition of Nelson and his work.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Regards,
Andrew.
I found a audio cd of Nelson on Amazon http://www.amazon.in/Timing-Models-Proven-Indicators-Markets/dp/1592802281
Great Interview & it was really a inspirational episode
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing Nikhil!
Thanks for this!
I bought several reports from Nelson. I also got his free sample report which was a great case study in proper system development and testing. In addition, I called him a few times. He was happy to discuss ideas and systems with me. That was quite nice, since I was a nobody and he was a guy who had given closed-door presentations to Paul Tudor Jones and spoken all over the world.
Nelson was a true gentleman and scholar in the trading world–the opposite of a snake oil salesman. He is certainly missed.
Hi john, thanks for the kind words on Nelson!
Cheers,
Andrew.
Hi Andrew,
I love your podcast. I found it recently and has been listening through them one by one. That’s extra ordinary works!
The transcript that you provided in the recent episode are really helpful. As there’s tons of great points being discussed and usually I have to re-visit some of those which I found interesting. Having a transcript would help me quicker to re-visit those discussions.
Thanks a lot for that!
Thanks Siuta, we’re working on making the other transcripts available soon. Thanks for listening!