Curious is a podcast series that asks professional investors about the trends and opportunities that have their attention in markets.
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The quant edge: Why systematic investing matters
Dr Joanna Nash, Senior Quant Portfolio Manager and Head of Portfolio Management and Dr David Walsh, Head of Investments sat down with Quin Smith, Head of Distribution at FSG Group, to discuss why quantitative investing matters today. The conversation explored the role of AI in quant and what role quant equities can play alongside fundamentals active versus passive investing.
This episode was recorded in June 2026.
Speakers
Dr David Walsh
Head of Investments
Dr Joanna Nash
Senior Quant Portfolio Manager and Head of Portfolio Management
Quin Smith
Head of Distribution, Australia and New Zealand
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Speakers
Dr David Walsh
Head of Investments
Dr Joanna Nash
Senior Quant Portfolio Manager and Head of Portfolio Management
Quin Smith
Head of Distribution, Australia and New Zealand
The quant edge: Why systematic investing matters
Dr Joanna Nash, Senior Quant Portfolio Manager and Head of Portfolio Management and Dr David Walsh, Head of Investments sat down with Quin Smith, Head of Distribution at FSG Group, to discuss why quantitative investing matters today. The conversation explored the role of AI in quant and what role quant equities can play alongside fundamentals active versus passive investing.
This episode was recorded in June 2026.
Speakers
David Wilson
Deputy Head of Australian Equities Growth
Christian Guerra
Head of Research, Australian Equities Growth
ASX reporting season: Big beats, big misses, bigger moves
February’s reporting season delivered strong earnings against a backdrop of sharp volatility. David Wilson and Christian Guerra break down the sector‑by‑sector reactions and highlight where solid fundamentals and exaggerated price moves are creating opportunities for active investors.
This episode was recorded in March 2026.
Speakers
Jim Clayton
CEO, Breville Group
Dawn Kanelleas
Head of Australian Small and Mid Cap Companies
Why a Silicon Valley exec bought into Breville’s global ambitions (Complete Episode)
Listen in as Breville CEO Jim Clayton joins First Sentier Investors’ Dawn Kanelleas for the full conversation.
It’s much harder to innovate consistently than build one great idea, but some companies are up to the challenge. Breville CEO Jim Clayton tells First Sentier Investors’ Dawn Kanelleas why he left the fast-paced world of private equity, management consulting and South Korean conglomerates to drive a little-known Australian company with a knack for innovation forward.
This episode was recorded in June 2025.
Report authored by
Dr David Walsh
Head of Investments
RQI Investors Real Insights: Lessons from the Quant Winter
In this episode we explore RQI Investors latest research “Lessons from the Quant Winter”, a comprehensive report that examines the challenging period from 2018 to 2020 when quant strategies faced significant headwinds. We unpack the causes behind this underperformance, the impact on markets (especially in Australia and other developed economies), and the surprising rebound post-COVID. We explore the intersection of human expertise and advanced technology, brought to life through an AI-generated voice.
Speakers
David Wilson
Deputy Head of Australian Equities Growth
Christian Guerra
Head of Research, Australian Equities Growth
Quin Smith
Head of Distribution, Australia and New Zealand
ASX reporting season: Margins, misses, and market opportunities
First Sentier Investors' David Wilson and Christian Guerra unpack August’s reporting season — the most volatile on record. From banks and insurers to industrials and hidden tech plays, they explore what moved the market and why volatility might be here to stay.
This episode was recorded in September 2025.
Speakers
Jim Clayton
CEO, Breville Group
Dawn Kanelleas
Head of Australian Small and Mid Cap Companies
Why a Silicon Valley exec bought into Breville’s global ambitions
It’s much harder to innovate consistently than build one great idea, but some companies are up to the challenge. Breville CEO Jim Clayton tells First Sentier Investors’ Dawn Kanelleas why he left the fast-paced world of private equity, management consulting and South Korean conglomerates to drive a little-known Australian company with a knack for innovation forward.
This episode was recorded in June 2025.
Speakers
Andrew Whitson
Development CEO, Stockland
Stephen Hayes
Head of Global Property Securities
CEO interview: Turning points in Australia’s housing crisis
Australia has fewer homes per adult than most of the developed world. First Sentier Investors’ Stephen Hayes is joined by Stockland’s Andrew Whitson to unpack the challenges in meeting Australia’s growing housing demand – and where growth may emerge next.
This episode was recorded in May 2025.
Speakers
David Wilson
Deputy Head of Australian Equities Growth
Christian Guerra
Head of Research
ASX reporting season: The market is not the economy
First Sentier Investors’ David Wilson and Christian Guerra unpack why 2025 has opened to one of the most volatile reporting seasons in years. Discussing healthcare, financials, consumer and industrial names, they share their take on some surprising market disappointments – and the stocks they are excited about as growth investors.
This episode was recorded in March 2025.
Speakers
David Wilson
Deputy Head of Australian Equities Growth
Christian Guerra
Head of Research
ASX reporting season: Temper your enthusiasm (but only slightly)
Interest rates, business confidence, valuations and the staying power of the consumer dominated conversations as corporate Australia tempered its growth promises heading into 2025. David Wilson and Christian Guerra join us from the First Sentier Investors Australian Equities Growth team to explore the encouraging indicators they believe show resilience in the underlying economy. They share perspectives on companies they believe have the potential to deliver quality earnings growth in a challenging market environment.
This episode was recorded in September 2024.
These episodes are for Australian audiences only.
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