--- title: Quant Letter No. 129: April 2026, Week 1 url: https://www.ml-quant.com/issues/2026-04-03/ site: ML-Quant (https://www.ml-quant.com) updated: 2026-09-26 license: Summaries CC BY 4.0; links go to the original sources index: https://www.ml-quant.com/llms.txt issue_date: 2026-04-03 --- # Quant Letter No. 129: April 2026, Week 1 Sent 2026-04-03. 43 items. ## arXiv ### Finance - __[Valuing Variable Annuities with Non-Markovian Models](https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.00472v2)__: The paper discusses how to value variable annuity contracts that offer early surrender options. It uses advanced models and deep learning to find the best strategies for surrendering the contracts, while also providing protection against losses through minimum benefits. (2026-04-01, shares: 0) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/arxiv/2604.00472/ ### Economics - __[Partial Automation in Human-AI Collaboration](https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.29121v1)__: The paper discusses a model that suggests combining human effort with partial automation is usually cheaper and more effective than fully automating complex tasks. (2026-03-31, shares: 0) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/arxiv/2603.29121/ ### Historical Trending - __[Valuing European Options with Two-Asset Lévy Models](https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.02700v2)__: The article introduces a better method for pricing European-style options using two-asset exponential Lévy models. It focuses on faster calculations by employing fast Fourier transforms and a semi-Lagrangian approach, surpassing older techniques. (2025-11-04, shares: 0) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/arxiv/2511.02700/ ## RePEc ### Historical Trending - __[VIX Prediction with ML](https://econpapers.repec.org/scripts/redir.pf?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhdl.handle.net%2F10.1080%2F14697688.2024.2439458%3Bh%3Drepec%3Ataf%3Aquantf%3Av%3A24%3Ay%3A2024%3Ai%3A12%3Ap%3A1857-1873)__: The study shows that machine learning can better predict the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) by using jobless claims data for market volatility forecasts. (2024-03-01, shares: 12) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/repec/taf-quantf-v-24-y-2024-i-12-p-1857-1873/ - __[Volatile KSE-30 Stocks](https://econpapers.repec.org/scripts/redir.pf?u=http%3A%2F%2Flink.springer.com%2F10.1007%2Fs43069-025-00421-4%3Bh%3Drepec%3Aspr%3Asnopef%3Av%3A6%3Ay%3A2025%3Ai%3A1%3Ad%3A10.1007_s43069-025-00421-4)__: This research examines equity returns on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, identifying trends and suggesting a new portfolio optimization strategy for asset management. (2025-01-08, shares: 10) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/repec/spr-snopef-v-6-y-2025-i-1-d-10-1007-s43069-025-00421-4/ - __[Automated Trading in Emerging Markets](https://econpapers.repec.org/scripts/redir.pf?u=http%3A%2F%2Flink.springer.com%2F10.1186%2Fs40854-025-00754-3%3Bh%3Drepec%3Aspr%3Afininn%3Av%3A11%3Ay%3A2025%3Ai%3A1%3Ad%3A10.1186_s40854-025-00754-3)__: The paper highlights issues with algorithmic trading and passive investing in downturns, proposing a new trading system to help stabilize emerging market portfolios in crises. (2025-03-18, shares: 9) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/repec/spr-fininn-v-11-y-2025-i-1-d-10-1186-s40854-025-00754-3/ - __[Risk Parity with Heavy Tails](https://econpapers.repec.org/scripts/redir.pf?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1111%2Fjtsa.12792%3Bh%3Drepec%3Abla%3Ajtsera%3Av%3A46%3Ay%3A2025%3Ai%3A2%3Ap%3A353-377)__: A new portfolio optimization method using expected shortfall offers better stability and lower turnover during market turbulence by considering extreme asset returns. (2025-12-21, shares: 9) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/repec/bla-jtsera-v-46-y-2025-i-2-p-353-377/ - __[Deep Learning vs. Traditional Models](https://econpapers.repec.org/scripts/redir.pf?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icfm.ro%2FRePEc%2Fvls%2Fvls_pdf%2Fvol28i4p29-42.pdf%3Bh%3Drepec%3Avls%3Afinstu%3Av%3A28%3Ay%3A2024%3Ai%3A4%3Ap%3A29-42)__: The study finds that traditional machine learning approaches outperform deep learning in predicting daily stock price movements for major Eurozone banks during volatile markets. (2024-07-05, shares: 7) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/repec/vls-finstu-v-28-y-2024-i-4-p-29-42/ - __[Sharpe Ratio vs. Buy-and-Hold in Markets](https://econpapers.repec.org/scripts/redir.pf?u=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.conscientiabeam.com%2Findex.php%2F29%2Farticle%2Fview%2F4102%2F8464%3Bh%3Drepec%3Apkp%3Ateafle%3Av%3A12%3Ay%3A2025%3Ai%3A1%3Ap%3A120-142%3Aid%3A4102)__: The study shows that Sharpe Ratio trading strategies work better than buy-and-hold strategies in global stock markets, aligning with the Adaptive Market Hypothesis due to market inefficiencies. (2025-03-27, shares: 8) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/repec/pkp-teafle-v-12-y-2025-i-1-p-120-142-id-4102/ - __[Role of News Sentiment in Stock Volatility](https://econpapers.repec.org/scripts/redir.pf?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedirect.com%2Fscience%2Farticle%2Fpii%2FS0165176524006086%3Bh%3Drepec%3Aeee%3Aecolet%3Av%3A247%3Ay%3A2025%3Ai%3Ac%3As0165176524006086)__: A simulation finds that accurately gauged news sentiment, especially from GPT-4, significantly affects stock return volatility, outperforming RavenPack from 2019 to 2023. (2025-07-28, shares: 6) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/repec/eee-ecolet-v-247-y-2025-i-c-s0165176524006086/ - __[Mixture Models in Chinese Financial Markets](https://econpapers.repec.org/scripts/redir.pf?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhdl.handle.net%2F10.1080%2F01605682.2024.2329156%3Bh%3Drepec%3Ataf%3Atjorxx%3Av%3A76%3Ay%3A2025%3Ai%3A1%3Ap%3A97-110)__: A new machine learning technique improves time series analysis by using unsupervised classification for autoregressive models, proving effective with financial data during COVID-19. (2025-03-18, shares: 6) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/repec/taf-tjorxx-v-76-y-2025-i-1-p-97-110/ - __[Machine Learning for Market Risk Management](https://econpapers.repec.org/scripts/redir.pf?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedirect.com%2Fscience%2Farticle%2Fpii%2FS0305048324002135%3Bh%3Drepec%3Aeee%3Ajomega%3Av%3A133%3Ay%3A2025%3Ai%3Ac%3As0305048324002135)__: Two new deep learning frameworks enhance the estimation of Value at Risk (VaR) and Expected Shortfall (ES), providing better risk management for financial institutions compared to traditional methods. (2025-12-05, shares: 6) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/repec/eee-jomega-v-133-y-2025-i-c-s0305048324002135/ - __[Macroeconomic Expectations and Financial Risk Premia](https://econpapers.repec.org/scripts/redir.pf?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedirect.com%2Fscience%2Farticle%2Fpii%2FS0165176524006037%3Bh%3Drepec%3Aeee%3Aecolet%3Av%3A247%3Ay%3A2025%3Ai%3Ac%3As0165176524006037)__: Evidence indicates that differing macroeconomic expectations influence financial risk premiums, with varying impacts on stock returns based on disagreement over consumption and productivity. (2025-11-21, shares: 5) · https://www.ml-quant.com/papers/repec/eee-ecolet-v-247-y-2025-i-c-s0165176524006037/ ## Papers with code ### Trending - __[Latent Space as Foundation](https://github.com/YU-deep/Awesome-Latent-Space)__: Latent space improves language models by creating a continuous representation that minimizes redundancy and boosts efficiency. (2026-04-03, shares: 475) - __[Unified Multimodal Processing](https://github.com/meituan-longcat/LongCat-Next)__: The Discrete Native Autoregressive framework enables integrated handling of various data types through a common discrete space and innovative visual transformer design. (2026-04-01, shares: 280) ### Rising - __[Generative World Renderer: Enhanced AAA Game Rendering](https://github.com/ShandaAI/AlayaRenderer)__: Enhanced AAA Game Rendering: A new dataset from AAA games enhances rendering quality and better evaluation methods that match human perception. (2026-04-03, shares: 117) - __[SKILL0: RL for Skill Internalization](https://github.com/ZJU-REAL/SkillZero)__: RL for Skill Internalization: SKILL0 empowers LLM agents to autonomously learn and execute tasks, boosting their effectiveness with a flexible training process. (2026-04-03, shares: 65) - __[GEMS Multimodal Generation Framework with Memory](https://github.com/lcqysl/GEMS)__: GEMS introduces a multimodal framework that helps agents refine their skills and memory, leading to improved performance across different tasks. (2026-04-01, shares: 30) ## GitHub ### Finance - __[NVIDIA AI Portfolio Optimization](https://github.com/NVIDIA-AI-Blueprints/quantitative-portfolio-optimization)__: The article provides a developer example for enhancing investment portfolios with NVIDIA's tools. (2025-10-27, shares: 239) - __[Modular RL Trading Framework](https://github.com/TorchTrade/torchtrade)__: It introduces a flexible system that uses reinforcement learning to enhance algorithmic trading strategies. (2024-11-07, shares: 268) - __[Rust Optopsy Engine Rewrite](https://github.com/goldspanlabs/optopsy-mcp)__: This article covers a Rust-based update of Optopsy, a backtesting engine for options trading, featuring a new protocol. (2026-02-28, shares: 7) - __[LLM Trading System for ETFs](https://github.com/45ck/llm-quant)__: It highlights a paper trading system using LLM and Claude for macro ETF strategies, equipped with a secure trade ledger. (2026-03-24, shares: 19) - __[Apache Fluss: Real-Time Analytics](https://github.com/apache/fluss)__: Real-Time Analytics: Apache Fluss is presented as a real-time data analytics solution for streaming storage. (2024-10-31, shares: 1834) ### Trending - __[Repo Ownership Transfer](https://github.com/ultraworkers/claw-code)__: The repository is locked for ownership transfer; users are redirected to a faster alternative to reach 100K stars. (2026-03-31, shares: 145323) - __[Rust Rebuild of Claude](https://github.com/instructkr/claw-code)__: Better Harness Tools aims to archive leaked Claude Code and is being rewritten in Rust for better functionality. (2026-03-31, shares: 41232) - __[Enhance Codex](https://github.com/Yeachan-Heo/oh-my-codex)__: OmX Oh My codeX upgrades your codex with new features including hooks, agent teams, and HUDs. (2026-02-02, shares: 7868) - __[Terse CLAUDE.md Workflows](https://github.com/drona23/claude-token-efficient)__: The CLAUDE.md file simplifies responses by keeping them brief without requiring code changes. (2026-03-30, shares: 2527) - __[Cognitive Architecture for Claude](https://github.com/marciopuga/cog)__: The article describes a cognitive architecture for Claude Code that includes persistent memory, self-reflection, and foresight. (2026-03-15, shares: 314) ## Podcasts ### Quantitative - __Liquid Equity Insights__: Owen Lamont and Randy Cohen discuss private equity's impact on public markets and the changing investment landscape, highlighting the trend of the US stock market becoming increasingly influenced by Korean market dynamics. (2026-04-03, shares: 9) - __[Limitations of Market Control](http://localhost:8888/TopTradersUnplugged/ttu-2021/homepage/si393-the-illusion-of-control-in-modern-markets-ft-yoav-git)__: Niels and Yoav analyze traditional market responses and risk management issues during geopolitical tensions and shifting narratives. (2026-03-28, shares: 7) - __[Alt Data Salesman's Confessions](https://shows.acast.com/the-alternative-data-podcast/episodes/the-zach-zboralske-episode)__: Zach Zboralske shares his experiences in sales, focusing on pricing transaction data and the growing significance of alternative data in finance. (2026-03-30, shares: 6) - __[US Government Bonds' Shifting Role](https://alphaexchange.simplecast.com/episodes/the-shock-heard-round-the-world-us-government-bonds-45iE6u_0)__: The article suggests that the US Treasury market is losing its status as risk-free due to rising uncertainties linked to the US government. (2026-03-31, shares: 5) - __[Building Businesses in PE](https://traffic.megaphone.fm/GLD2255196196.mp3)__: Steve Klinsky reflects on the evolution of the private equity industry, his strategies for building businesses, and the current macroeconomic challenges in a discussion with Goldman Sachs' Alison Mass. (2026-03-31, shares: 5) ### Related - __[Banking Hype vs. Reality](https://www.buzzsprout.com/803279/episodes/18933442-banking-s-hype-history-and-balancing-reality.mp3)__: The article explores how programming in banks has shifted from SAS to Python, addressing challenges from AI trends and regulations while prioritizing genuine education. (2026-03-31, shares: 5) - __[Power Imbalances and Consequences](http://localhost:8888/TopTradersUnplugged/ttu-2021/homepage/peter-atwater)__: Peter Atwater discusses societal power imbalances, connecting the behavior of investors with a decline in confidence among the less powerful. (2026-04-01, shares: 4) - __[AI Data Center Power Challenges](https://traffic.megaphone.fm/GLD3928326355.mp3)__: Goldman Sachs Research highlights the rising demand for AI-powered data centers and factors that may influence future energy needs, noting that views can evolve. (2026-04-02, shares: 3) - __[EM Fixed Income Stability Wait](https://atanyrate.podbean.com/e/em-fixed-income-still-waiting-for-the-conflict-to-pass-over/)__: Jonny Goulden, Anezka Christovova, and Ben Ramsey analyze recent changes in the fixed income market for emerging markets in a JPMorgan podcast. (2026-03-31, shares: 3) - __[Corporate Data Breach Risks](https://datascienceathome.podbean.com/e/productivity-is-the-new-data-breach-ep-301/)__: The article cautions that employees might jeopardize corporate security by misusing AI tools like ChatGPT, stressing the importance for firms to tackle this issue. (2026-03-31, shares: 2) ## Blogs ### Quantitative - __[Market Response to Trump's Social Media Announcement](https://rajivsethi.substack.com/p/information-contagion)__: On March 24, oil and stock trading surged right before Donald Trump reported positive talks with Iran, causing oil prices to drop and stock indexes to rise sharply. (2026-03-31, shares: 4) ### Related - __[Trump's Announcement Impact](https://rajivsethi.substack.com/p/information-contagion)__: Trump's announcement about negotiations with Iran led to increased trading activity, causing oil prices to drop and stock prices to rise. (2026-03-31, shares: 4) - __[Commodities: Contango to Backwardation](https://stockviz.substack.com/p/the-shape-of-futures)__: Contango to Backwardation: The US-Iran War has changed oil prices from contango to backwardation, indicating a higher demand for immediate oil delivery than for future delivery. (2026-03-28, shares: 2) ## Reddit ### Quantitative - __[Interview Prep](https://www.reddit.com/r/quantfinance/comments/1s5agw2/interviewers_when_did_you_know_you_were_ready_to/)__: (2026-03-27, shares: 14) ### Rising - __[Model Validation](https://www.reddit.com/r/quant/comments/1s5hnla/i_kinda_love_working_in_model_validation_tbh/)__: (2026-03-27, shares: 145)