QUANT - Statistical Measures of Asset Returns [2026]

About this episode

This episode discusses statistical measures of asset returns, focusing on key concepts like means, variance, and diversification.

Statistical Measures of Returns with Mara Ellington & Dorian Hayes. In this bite-size Quant Methods episode, we turn raw return data into insight: Means that matter : arithmetic vs. geometric returns (μ, g). How variance , standard deviation & downside risk frame volatility (σ, σ2). Reading the shape: skewness, kurtosis & (non-)normality. Why cov(Ri, Rj) and ρ drive diversification. Perfect if you want CFA Level I stats to finally “click”.

People in this episode

Guests: Mara Ellington, Dorian Hayes

Topics covered

• Statistical Measures
• Asset Returns
• Quant Methods
• Volatility
• Diversification
• CFA Level I

Keywords

• arithmetic returns
• geometric returns
• variance
• standard deviation
• downside risk
• skewness
• kurtosis
• covariance
• diversification

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CFA

More episodes of Deep Dive: CFA® Level I Prep 2026

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• QUANT - Simulation Methods · January 21, 2026 · 11 min
• QUANT - Portfolio Mathematics [2026] · January 20, 2026 · 11 min
• QUANT - Probability Trees and Conditional Expectations [2026] · January 15, 2026 · 12 min
• QUANT - Time Value of Money [2026] · January 5, 2026 · 13 min
• QUANT - Rates and Return [2026] · January 1, 2026 · 13 min