Steven Cress is VP of Quantitative Strategy and Market Data at Seeking Alpha. Steve is also the creator of the platform’s quantitative stock rating system and many of the analytical tools on Seeking Alpha. His contributions form the cornerstone of the Seeking Alpha Quant Rating system, designed to interpret data for investors and offer insights on investment directions, thereby saving valuable time for users. He is also the Founder and Co-Manager of Alpha Picks, a systematic stock recommendation tool design ...

Group 1 - Steven Cress is the Head of Quantitative Strategies at Seeking Alpha, managing quant ratings and factor grades on stocks and ETFs [1][2] - Cress leads Alpha Picks, selecting two attractive stocks to buy each month and determining when to sell them [1][2] - The Seeking Alpha Quant Rating system, created by Cress, interprets data for investors and offers insights on investment directions [2] Group 2 - Cress has over 30 years of experience in equity research, quantitative strategies, and portfolio management, enhancing his expertise in investment topics [2] - Prior to Seeking Alpha, Cress founded CressCap Investment Research and Cress Capital Management, and worked at Morgan Stanley and Northern Trust [2]

Group 1 - Steven Cress is the Head of Quantitative Strategies at Seeking Alpha, managing quant ratings and factor grades on stocks and ETFs [1][2] - The Alpha Picks initiative selects two attractive stocks to buy each month and determines optimal selling times [1][2] - The quantitative stock rating system at Seeking Alpha is designed to interpret data for investors, providing insights and saving time [2] Group 2 - Steven Cress has over 30 years of experience in equity research, quantitative strategies, and portfolio management, enhancing his expertise in investment topics [2] - Prior to Seeking Alpha, Cress founded CressCap Investment Research and Cress Capital Management, and worked at Morgan Stanley and Northern Trust [2] - The platform aims to remove emotional biases from investment decisions through a data-driven approach and sophisticated algorithms [2]

Core Viewpoint - The private equity industry is at a significant turning point in 2025, with a shift from subjective strategies to quantitative strategies becoming the dominant force, alongside a notable increase in the number of firms managing over 500 billion yuan [1][2]. Group 1: Structural Changes - In 2025, the number of quantitative private equity firms surpassed subjective firms for the first time, marking a historic shift in the industry [2]. - By the end of 2025, the number of billion-yuan private equity managers rebounded to 112, close to the historical high of 117 in early 2022, with a total of nearly 19,000 products under management [2]. - As of January 23, 2026, the number of billion-yuan private equity firms reached 118, with 55 being quantitative, 48 subjective, and 12 mixed strategies [5]. Group 2: Performance and Trends - The average returns of billion-yuan quantitative private equity products showed positive growth in 2025, significantly outperforming subjective strategies [6]. - The rise of quantitative strategies is supported by improved market conditions, investor demand for stable returns, and advancements in technology [7]. Group 3: Head of the Pyramid - The first tier of private equity firms has expanded, with over 15 firms managing more than 500 billion yuan, including both quantitative and subjective strategies [8][11]. - The "billion" threshold remains, but its significance has changed, with top firms now requiring management capacities of 700 to 800 billion yuan to be considered competitive [11][12]. Group 4: Influx of Foreign and Insurance Capital - By early 2026, the number of billion-yuan foreign private equity firms increased to 2, and insurance capital firms to 3, indicating a shift in the competitive landscape [13][14]. - The entry of foreign and insurance capital is transforming the private equity ecosystem, moving from high volatility to a focus on long-term, stable returns [14]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The competition in the private equity industry is expected to evolve beyond mere scale, emphasizing the need for robust investment capabilities and diverse strategy systems [14]. - The transition to a quantitative-led era does not signify the end of subjective strategies but indicates a more rational and efficient market is forming [14].

Group 1 - Steven Cress is the Head of Quantitative Strategies at Seeking Alpha, managing quant ratings and factor grades on stocks and ETFs [1] - Cress leads Alpha Picks, selecting two attractive stocks to buy each month and determining when to sell them [1] - The quantitative stock rating system created by Cress is designed to interpret data for investors, offering insights and saving time [2] Group 2 - Cress has over 30 years of experience in equity research, quantitative strategies, and portfolio management, positioning him well to discuss various investment topics [2] - He previously founded CressCap Investment Research, which was acquired by Seeking Alpha in 2018, enhancing its quant analysis and market data capabilities [2] - Cress also founded a quant hedge fund, Cress Capital Management, and has experience running a proprietary trading desk at Morgan Stanley [2]

Core Insights - The number of billion-yuan private equity firms in China has reached 118 as of January 26, 2026, marking a net increase of 5 firms since the end of 2025, indicating industry expansion [2] - Notably, 4 firms exited the billion-yuan category while 9 firms either returned or newly entered, with the number of foreign billion-yuan private equity firms increasing to 2 and insurance capital private equity firms to 3 [2] - The expansion is driven by several factors, including the recovery of the A-share market, AI technology enhancing investment and risk control, a concentration of funds towards leading private equity firms, and dual support from funding and policy [2] Industry Composition - Among the 118 billion-yuan private equity firms, quantitative strategies dominate with 55 firms, accounting for 46.61%, while subjective strategy firms number 48, making up 40.68%, and mixed strategy firms total 12, representing 10.17% [3] - In January, the 9 newly added billion-yuan private equity firms included 4 subjective firms, 2 quantitative firms, and 2 mixed strategy firms, with one firm yet to disclose its investment model [3]

Core Insights - Steven Cress is the Head of Quantitative Strategies at Seeking Alpha, managing quant ratings and factor grades for stocks and ETFs, and leading the Alpha Picks initiative which identifies two attractive stocks to buy each month [1][2] Group 1: Company Overview - Seeking Alpha has developed a quantitative stock rating system and analytical tools that help investors interpret data and make informed investment decisions [2] - The platform aims to eliminate emotional biases in investment decisions by utilizing a data-driven approach and sophisticated algorithms [2] Group 2: Leadership and Experience - Steven Cress has over 30 years of experience in equity research, quantitative strategies, and portfolio management, having previously founded CressCap Investment Research and Cress Capital Management [2] - Prior to his current role, he worked at Morgan Stanley and Northern Trust, focusing on proprietary trading and international business development [2]

百亿元私募基金经理2025年收益排名前十 本报（chinatimes.net.cn）记者张玫 北京报道 私募行业2025年度业绩榜单正式揭晓，在百亿级私募的收益前十强中，量化策略基金经理强势占据半数 席位。 博瑞私募基金投资总监吴煊对《华夏时报》记者表示，量化交易的优势在于交易择时和选股范围，前者 可以通过增加交易频次来实现收益累加的效果，后者则是弥补主观多头策略的行业及热点覆盖面不足的 短板，利于把握热点轮动节奏来提高收益。 融智投资FOF基金经理李春瑜对《华夏时报》记者表示，量化策略的主要优势在于，纪律性强，能规避 情绪干扰，在震荡市中控制回撤更优；借助多因子与AI技术广泛覆盖市场，高效捕捉中小盘机会，并 快速迭代适应变化；风控体系完善，有助于缩小产品收益差距。 百亿元私募：前十收益门槛超52% 私募排排网最新数据显示，截至2025年12月31日，共有574位基金经理符合业绩展示标准，其中股票策 略基金经理占352个席位。私募基金经理在2025年收益均值约为33.39%，收益中位数约为24.32%，跑赢 同期上证指数的18.41%。 在管理规模100亿以上的私募机构组别中，共有74位基金经理满足业绩展示条 ...

Group 1 - Steven Cress is the Head of Quantitative Strategies at Seeking Alpha, managing quant ratings and factor grades on stocks and ETFs [1] - Cress leads Alpha Picks, selecting two attractive stocks to buy each month and determining when to sell them [1] - The quantitative stock rating system created by Cress is designed to interpret data for investors, offering insights and saving time [2] Group 2 - Cress has over 30 years of experience in equity research, quantitative strategies, and portfolio management, positioning him well to discuss various investment topics [2] - He previously founded CressCap Investment Research, which was acquired by Seeking Alpha in 2018, enhancing its quant analysis and market data capabilities [2] - Cress has a background in running a proprietary trading desk at Morgan Stanley and leading international business development at Northern Trust [2]

Company Overview - Seeking Alpha is a platform that provides quantitative stock ratings and analytical tools designed to assist investors in making informed decisions [2] - The company emphasizes a data-driven approach to investment research, aiming to eliminate emotional biases from investment decisions [2] Key Personnel - Steven Cress serves as the Head of Quantitative Strategies at Seeking Alpha, managing quant ratings and factor grades on stocks and ETFs [1] - Cress is also the founder and co-manager of Alpha Picks, a systematic stock recommendation tool aimed at helping long-term investors build a high-quality portfolio [2] - With over 30 years of experience in equity research and quantitative strategies, Cress has a strong background in investment management, having previously founded CressCap Investment Research and Cress Capital Management [2] Product Offerings - The Seeking Alpha Quant Rating system interprets data for investors, providing insights on investment directions and saving time for users [2] - Alpha Picks selects two attractive stocks to buy each month and determines optimal selling times, enhancing investment decision-making for users [2] Historical Context - CressCap Investment Research was acquired by Seeking Alpha in 2018, which enhanced Seeking Alpha's capabilities in quantitative analysis and market data [2] - Prior to his role at Seeking Alpha, Cress led a proprietary trading desk at Morgan Stanley and was involved in international business development at Northern Trust [2]