Micro Alphas is an independent research and education resource on quantitative signal research — how systematic investors find, evaluate, and protect alpha-generating signals.
We publish in-depth explainers on signal discovery, alpha and factor decay, market microstructure, cross-asset signals, backtesting, machine learning for signals, and portfolio construction. The aim is simple: to be the clearest, most trustworthy free reference on these topics for the people who actually work with them.
Who this is for
Quant researchers and systematic portfolio managers, data scientists moving into finance, and serious self-directed quants. The writing assumes you are technically literate and want the real mechanics — the formulas, the methods, and the failure modes — not surface-level definitions.
Our editorial standards
Quantitative finance is a domain where wrong numbers do real harm, so we hold our content to a strict standard:
- No fabricated statistics. We do not invent performance figures, returns, or decay rates. Where a number appears it is either a standard convention or attributed to a named primary source. If a figure cannot be sourced, we cut it rather than guess.
- Primary sources over secondary. We lean on the original literature — Grinold & Kahn, López de Prado, Fama & French, Amihud, Kyle — and peer-reviewed research, rather than recycled blog claims.
- Methods over hype. We explain how a technique works and where it breaks — overfitting, multiple testing, regime change, crowding — not just that it exists.
- Living documents. Articles are revised as the evidence changes or our explanation can be made clearer.
What this is not
Micro Alphas is an educational resource, not investment advice. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Markets carry risk; do your own research and consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions.
Contact & corrections
Questions, corrections, and suggestions are welcome — see our contact page. We take factual corrections seriously and update published material when warranted.