Portfolio Manager Jerry Parker Authors Overview of CTA ETFs
May 4, 2026
Jerry Parker, legendary Turtle Trader and Portfolio Manager of the Blueprint Chesapeake Multi-Asset Trend ETF, was invited to guest author a HedgeNordic article about how the ability to package CTA and trend-following strategies as ETFs has broadened access. On the other hand, implementations vary widely, and he highlights key differences related to market breadth, system design, and portfolio construction.
Regarding market breadth, he writes:
“A defining feature of traditional CTA programs is the breadth of markets traded. Institutional strategies often span dozens — and in many cases hundreds — of markets across commodities, foreign exchange, fixed income, and equities. This breadth is not incidental; it is central to how trend following works. A larger opportunity set increases the number of independent return streams and improves the probability of capturing sustained trends across different environments.”
Related to system design, he notes:
“Some strategies employ a more limited subset of systems and instruments relative to their private fund counterparts, often resulting in a simplified representation of the strategy or a more concentrated portfolio. Others now seek to incorporate a broader range of these established models within the ETF structure itself, aligning more closely with the full design of their institutional programs.”
On the topic of portfolio construction, he highlights:
“These differences are closely tied to one of the defining characteristics of trend following: its reliance on outlier trades. Over time, a significant portion of returns is typically driven by a relatively small number of large, sustained trends. Expanding the number of markets and instruments increases the likelihood of capturing these events, while reducing dependence on any single sector or environment.”
About Blueprint Fund Management
Blueprint Fund Management designs, distributes, and manages systematic, process-driven, and transparent investment strategies for financial advisors and institutions. The firm aims to make trend following strategies highly accessible to advisors by offering and sub-advising investing strategies that are available as a mutual fund or ETF. Across the product offering, the firm applies a rules-based approach to both asset class and time diversification, instilling discipline and removing human bias during emotionally charged market environments.
About Chesapeake Capital Corporation
Chesapeake Capital Corporation is an innovative provider of systematic alternative investment solutions, including a limited partnership, separately managed accounts, and mutual funds. The firm was founded in 1988 by legendary Turtle Trader Jerry Parker, who continues to serve as the Chairman and CEO. The firm’s consistent, single-minded approach to managing client capital is trend following, and its client base includes private and institutional investors worldwide.