E22. Alpha Unchained: What the Data Says About Portable Alpha's Institutional Moment - Descript

E22. Alpha Unchained: What the Data Says About Portable Alpha's Institutional Moment - Descript

Author: Ani Yildirim April 1, 2026 Duration: 1:13:50

Return stacking and portable alpha are no longer niche strategies — they're going mainstream.

In this episode, we cut through the noise and unpack the latest institutional survey data to separate hype from reality.

Corey Hoffstein, CEO & CIO of Newfound Research and Co-Founder & Portfolio Manager of the Return Stacked® ETF Suite, sits down with special guest Shane McCarthy, CFA, Global Head of the Client & Partner Group at LAB Quantitative Strategies, to go beyond the theory and into what the latest institutional survey data actually reveals about where portable alpha stands right now — and where it's headed.

What You Will Learn:

  • Why portable alpha has expanded well beyond pensions — into endowments, OCIOs, family offices, and wealth channels — and what the latest survey data reveals about AUM growth in the space
  • What allocators are actually optimizing for, and how survey data breaks down their primary objectives
  • Which alpha sources are winning, how much overlay exposure institutions are taking, and why a single alpha source may not be enough
  • The three implementation structures in use today, how fee and liquidity terms compare, and what beta instrument trade-offs matter most in practice

Don't miss the extended Q&A, where Corey and Shane go deep on instrument selection, alpha durability, illiquidity tolerance, and the nuances of overlay sizing.


Corey Hoffstein and Rodrigo Gordillo host the Get Stacked Investment Podcast, a series dedicated to moving beyond conventional financial wisdom. The conversations here focus on a specific and powerful concept: return stacking. This isn't about generic stock tips or market predictions. Instead, each episode delves into the practical mechanics and philosophical underpinnings of building more resilient and efficient portfolios by strategically combining return streams. You'll hear detailed analysis and candid discussions with researchers, portfolio managers, and other innovative thinkers who are actively pushing the boundaries of modern investing. The dialogue is geared towards experienced investors and financial professionals who are familiar with the limitations of traditional 60/40 allocations and are seeking a more nuanced framework. Expect deep dives into topics like alternative risk premia, tactical asset allocation, and the real-world application of sophisticated strategies. The goal is to provide listeners with a substantive education, challenging them to critically examine their own investment assumptions. By focusing on these advanced principles, the Get Stacked Investment Podcast serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to seriously upgrade their approach to portfolio construction and long-term capital growth. Tune in for a consistently detailed and thought-provoking exploration of what comes next in investment strategy.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 37

Get Stacked Investment Podcast
Podcast Episodes
STACKED UNPACKED: Quarterly Live Q&A [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:17
In this episode, Corey Hoffstein and Adam Butler take you inside the latest Q2 commentary on the Return Stacked® ETF suite. They break down key strategies behind ETFs like RSSX, RSSB, RSBT, and RSST—covering everything f…
E17. STACKED UNPACKED: Quarterly Live Q&A [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:28
In this episode, Corey Hoffstein and Adam Butler take you inside the latest Q2 commentary on the Return Stacked® ETF suite. They break down key strategies behind ETFs like RSSX, RSSB, RSBT, and RSST—covering everything f…
E13. In Gold We Trust 2025 - The Big Long [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:31
Return Stacked is back with a deep dive into the world of alternative assets, featuring Mike Philbrick—CEO of ReSolve Asset Management and co-founder of Return Stacked ETFs, and Rodrigo Gordillo, President of ReSolve Ass…