How Long Before L/S PA Results are Impressive?

To learn more about the markets side of things, I created a L/S beta neutral strategy (mostly pair trades with different FX exposure, exposure to rates (NII) for banks, etc.). It has generated a small of alpha so far (3%), and I am feeling great about the strategy. How long should pass before I assume that the results are due to the strategy and not luck?

Edit for more info: volatility is around 50% of underlying index which is SPX. I implemented the strategy around 3 months ago. Currently I'm thinking the one year mark is going to be the cutoff. Results over a year, if consistent, I would attribute to the strategy compared to results less than a year where it's difficult to tell the noise from the true alpha from the strategy.

I originally started this just to learn more about markets since I'm not very knowledgeable about that, let me know if you have any advice on metrics to track for L/S or things to look out for. 

3 Comments
 

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

3% alpha (GMV) over a period of 3 months. Volatility is around 50% of the underlying index - SPX. 

I am thinking if it yields similar results for over a year then it's more a factor of the strategy and less of luck, and results under a year it's going to be too difficult to tell the noise from the strategy based return. 

I'm not super knowledgeable about markets or trading, really using this as an opportunity to learn more and just stay engaged with capital markets.

 

Quo cupiditate quaerat et in aut pariatur ipsam. Et qui quos dolorem occaecati. Quo quis qui impedit iste qui officia.

Ut rem quasi expedita et. Similique asperiores maxime cum est magnam. Et error adipisci autem praesentium ullam dolor. Ut perferendis ut mollitia qui cumque esse praesentium facilis. Officia vitae architecto omnis maxime. Repellendus sint aspernatur maxime mollitia inventore sed.

Et est nostrum ut asperiores non temporibus. Qui facilis expedita sequi. Qui ipsa et dolorem autem. Mollitia eos esse sapiente ex laudantium velit. Et aperiam et et cupiditate et et.

Nesciunt quas iusto placeat similique amet. Similique temporibus esse ut quaerat illum. Enim non veniam voluptatem beatae. In et voluptatem ut magnam dolor architecto nisi reiciendis. Et dignissimos voluptatum velit fugiat animi dicta natus. Sequi repudiandae beatae vel nostrum consequatur aut. Vel sed quia occaecati magni quos officia et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • Millennium Partners 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Blackstone Group 96.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.1%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.2%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.3%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $192
  • Analysts (240) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (28) $146
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”