Ken Griffin’s Case Against Defensive Investing

From Quiver Quantitative: 2025-06-17 00:42:00

Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel, warns interns against relying on traditional safe-haven trades in volatile markets, advocating for a risk-neutral approach and holding cash instead. He emphasizes the dangers of crowded defensive bets and the importance of nimble, active positioning to outperform during uncertainty. Griffin’s advice reflects Citadel’s $66 billion hedge fund strategy of prioritizing dynamic, cash-centric hedges over conventional safe assets. The firm’s culture promotes calculated risk-taking and adaptation to thrive in unpredictable markets, with an internship program that focuses on real-world risk management and resilience. Griffin’s message is set against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions impacting oil and equity markets, underscoring the need for a risk-neutral mindset to navigate market headwinds successfully.



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