On a brisk autumn evening, I find myself in the opulent setting of Berns, one of Stockholm’s most iconic venues. Traders and market enthusiasts are gathering for a much-anticipated presentation by Carl Eriksson, founder of ProRealAlgos.
His topic for the evening is as timely as it is intriguing: how to navigate market trends during U.S. presidential elections using data-driven strategies.
Before Eriksson takes the stage, we meet in a quiet side room away from the growing crowd. Dressed in a simple blazer, he greets me with a firm handshake and an easy smile. The calmness he exudes contrasts sharply with the energy in the building, where traders are eagerly anticipating his insights. “Elections are fascinating,” he tells me as we sit down. “They show how markets react to uncertainty and sentiment, and that’s where the opportunities lie.”
Eriksson’s interest in markets began far from Berns’ grandeur. A software developer by training, his first steps into trading were tentative and riddled with challenges. “I was spending endless hours trying to find patterns and make sense of the noise,” he recalls. “It was exciting, but also exhausting. I realised that the market wasn’t the problem—I was. My emotions and overthinking were getting in the way.”
To overcome this, Eriksson turned to what he knew best: technology. His initial attempts at coding tools to assist his trading were humble—scripts that performed repetitive tasks like scanning charts. But the more he experimented, the clearer it became that automation could do more than save time; it could improve results. “I saw that algorithms could take over the heavy lifting, leaving me to focus on strategy and decision-making,” he says.
By 2019, Eriksson’s efforts had evolved into ProRealAlgos, a company dedicated to helping other traders simplify and enhance their trading through automation. His vision wasn’t just about creating tools; it was about building trust and offering solutions that worked for traders at all levels. “I wanted to create something practical,” he explains. “Not just flashy technology, but tools that people could actually use to make better decisions.”
Before we finish, Eriksson’s assistant pokes her head in to let us know it’s almost time for his presentation. As we walk toward the main hall, he reflects on why this particular topic resonates so deeply with him. “Elections are a perfect example of how markets are driven by human behaviour,” he explains. “They’re not just about policies or outcomes— they’re about how people react to uncertainty, and that’s where the patterns emerge.”
Inside Berns, the lights dim as Eriksson takes the stage. With the help of vivid charts and data sets, he walks the audience through patterns observed in over 100 years of election cycles. His delivery is clear and precise, balancing complex analysis with actionable insights. The room is silent except for the rapid note-taking of attendees eager to apply his findings in their own trading.
The Q&A session that follows is animated, with questions ranging from technical details to broader market implications. Eriksson answers them all with the same calm precision he displayed earlier, engaging directly with the audience. Time runs out before all questions can be addressed, but the buzz in the room lingers long after the session ends.
For Carl Eriksson, the markets are as much about people as they are about numbers. His ability to blend human insight with technological precision has made him a respected figure in algorithmic trading. And on this evening at Berns, it’s clear why his work continues to resonate with traders looking to navigate the complexities of the modern market.