The rise of Quantitative (Quant) Strategies in India has started mirroring the exponential growth seen in their usage and size globally. Recognizing the significance of this growing sector, Rishi Kohli and Pankaj Mani have announced the establishment of the ‘Lambda* Quantitative Strategies Association’(LAQSA) in India. This industry body aims to meet the evolving needs of the quant industry in the country, ultimately benefitting society and the nation. More details can be seen on the official website of the association which is www.indiaquant.in.
The primary objective of LAQSA is to promote education and research encompassing quantitative strategies. These strategies have been widely adopted by various global institutions such as social, educational, and research organizations, pension funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, banks, government institutions and others. LAQSA strives to enhance learning, education, research and networking opportunities for practitioners and researchers involved in Quant Strategies in India. Additionally, the association aims to engage with government policymakers, regulators, and exchanges to address policy and regulatory matters. Events such as information sessions, expert-led quant talks, workshops, learning programs, and research sharing presentations will facilitate achieving these goals.
Mr. Pankaj Mani, the Managing Director of Real World Risk, highlighted the extensive efforts needed to develop the quant community in India. He emphasized, “LAQSA will contribute to knowledge building, research, regulatory developments, training, and the creation of a top-notch quant industry in India that will benefit everyone.”
Mr. Rishi Kohli, a prominent figure in the Indian quantitative fund management industry, expressed the need for a forum that facilitates networking, investor awareness, regulatory engagement, and overall learning and development for the quant and systematic fraternity. He stated, “We aim to incorporate the best practices of leading quant associations globally, supported by a strong advisory body.”
Mr. Rishi Kohli, currently serving as the Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer, Hedge Fund Strategies at InCred Alternative Investments, brings over 22 years of experience in the Indian public equity markets, with a focus on quant and systematic strategies. He has held key positions in esteemed organizations such as Avendus, where he served as the MD & CIO of Quant Strategies. Mr. Kohli’s expertise in options and momentum-based quant strategies in India has earned him global recognition and prestigious awards. He has also been a speaker at major quant and hedge fund conferences worldwide.
In addition to his role as the Managing Director of Real World Risk, Mr. Pankaj Mani actively advises and consults on Quant, Investment Modelling, and Tail Risk for large local and global institutions. He holds prestigious positions in global organizations, serving as the Delhi (India) Zone Society President of CQFI (Fitch Learning), the world’s largest quantitative finance community, and a Committee Member of the India Zone Chapter of the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP, USA). These positions reflect his extensive knowledge and expertise in quant finance, highlighting his contributions to the industry. He has collaborated with leading quantitative and risk experts globally and locally, as well as senior government policymakers in India.
*Meaning of Lambda
- Lambda is often used as a symbol of wavelength in both science and engineering.
- It is commonly used in statistics as a parameter in probability distributions.
- In options trading, lambda refers to the leverage factor which means the leverage one gets intheoptioncompared to the underlying stock.
- It is also a measure of the percent variance in dependent variables not explained by differences in levels of the independent variable.
