Hedge Fund Articles

Forex hedge funds

Over $3 trillion dollars is traded every day on the foreign exchange market. This market, also called Forex, exists whenever one currency is traded for another. Big players in this market include large banks, governments, central banks, corporations, currency speculators, and hedge funds. Top 10 Currencies Traded U.S dollar Euro Japanese yen British pound sterling Swiss franc Australian dollar Canadian […]

Hedge Fund Risk

The term “hedge fund” was originally coined due the fact that managers would try to hedge the funds against risk in the market by taking both long and short positions. However, risk is almost impossible to avoid in today’s volatile economy, though hedge fund managers do try to use various risk control tactics. There are so many different strategies employed […]

Hedge Fund Risk Management

When trying to maximize absolute returns, the importance of assessing and mitigating risk shouldn’t be underestimated. Some memorable examples like LTCM and Tiger Fund not only show how heavy losses can be for some participants of the hedge fund industry, but also reinforce the perception that a good record of high absolute returns can mean absolutely nothing in an environment […]

Bear Stearns – The domino effect that began with the hedge fund collapse

When most people think of Bear Stearns, they think of its recent collapse and the resulting purchase by JPMorgan Chase. However, the demise of Bear Stearns can really be traced back to two failed hedge funds during the summer of 2007 which created a domino effect on the entirety of the company. Let’s take a look back. Few hedge fund […]

Venture Capital Funds

According to Wikipedia, a venture capital fund is a pooled investment vehicle (often in the form of a limited partnership) that primarily invests the financial capital of third-party investors in enterprises that are too risky for the standard capital markets or bank loans. Venture capital can also include managerial and technical expertise. Most venture capital comes from a group of […]

Hedge Fund Managers Among World’s Richest

The coveted list is here! Forbes magazine has named the World’s Richest, with 1,125 billionaires making the list… the most ever. Warren Buffet took the title of World’s Richest Man, with a fortune of $62 billion. Bill Gates was dethroned for the first time in 13 years, with assets equaling $58 billion.Not surprisingly, hedge fund gurus are intertwined throughout the […]

Navigating the Regulation of Hedge Fund Marketing

By JAMES R. HEDGES, IV, PARTNER, AND CHARLOTTE LUER, PARTNER, LJH FINANCIAL MARKETING STRATEGIES, AND LUCINDA O. MCCONATHY, PARTNER, AND PATRICIA C. O’PREY, PARTNER, RICHARDS KIBBE & ORBE LLP Marketing a hedge fund involves a myriad of considerations, including compliance not only with the regulatory requirements and restrictions of the jurisdiction in which the hedge fund is domiciled, but also […]

The History of Hedge Funds

In 1949, Alfred Winslow Jones devised and implemented an investment strategy that would forever brand him as “the father of the hedge fund industry.” While working for Fortune Magazine and investigating financial strategies, Jones decided to launch his own fund and raised a total of $100,000, $40,000 of which was his own money. Jones employed two strategies still used heavily […]

List of Hedge Funds

There are estimated to be over 10,000 hedge funds in existence today. Because they are not regulated like mutual funds and other investments, information on these funds may be a lot harder to find. Another reason for the scarcity of hedge fund information lies in the fact that only accredited investors, qualified clients, or institutions may invest in a hedge […]

How Do Hedge Funds Work?

There is no specific formula for how hedge funds work because different hedge funds employ a multitude of different strategies. However, there are some common characteristics that are present in most hedge funds. All hedge funds start with a hedge fund manager. This manager brings a specific strategy or investment philosophy to the table. Maybe he chooses to use leverage, short-selling, or derivatives. […]

What is an asset-based lending hedge fund?

Asset-based lending is a strategy employed by some hedge funds that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Asset-based lending is where a company (the hedge fund) loans another company a set amount of money, and that loan is backed by collateral (an asset). Let’s say a builder is in the process of constructing a tower and funds run dry. […]

What is a Hurdle Rate?

A hurdle rate is the minimum return necessary for a fund manager to start collecting incentive fees. The hurdle is usually tied to a benchmark rate such as Libor (London Interbank Offered Rate) or the one-year Treasury bill rate plus a spread. Hedge funds which specify a soft hurdle rate charge a performance fee based on the entire annualized return. […]

What is a Qualified Client?

With regards to hedge fund investing, an accredited investor is not to be confused with a “qualified client.” Qualified Clients are the most attractive investors for hedge fund managers. They must meet one of the following criteria: A natural person who or a company that immediately after entering into the contract has at least $ 750,000 under the management of […]

What is an Accredited Investor?

Due to the risky nature of hedge funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission requires that investors meet certain minimum requirements. An “accredited investor” must meet one of the following prerequisites as defined by the SEC: a bank, insurance company, registered investment company, business development company, or small business investment company an employee benefit plan, within the meaning of the Employee […]

Regulation D

According to Wikipedia, Regulation D is a regulation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is also a term for an investment strategy, mostly associated with hedge funds, based upon that regulation. It provides a “safe harbor” from the general requirement that all offerings of securities be registered with the SEC, and also exempts certain offerings which total under […]

Hedgeducation 101
  • Common Misconceptions About The Risk Associated With Hedge Funds

    One of the top reasons that investors and financial advisors don’t invest in hedge funds is that they think they are too risky. As with any investment, there is a certain amount of risk associated with hedge funds and yes, the risk is greater than that of t-bills or government bonds. However, one could argue that the investment strategies of […]

  • Types of Hedge Funds

    Within the investment industry, there are many different strategies that can be utilized in an attempt to get a greater return on the capital invested. As such, there are many different types of hedge funds with a diverse realm of investing styles. For the most part, all of the fund types fall into one of five categories or styles: macro, […]

  • Hedge Fund Performance & Management Fees

    Hedge funds typically earn income through a variety of fee structures charged to their clients. These fees are not only meant to cover fund administrative and operating costs, but also to reward employees and managers for providing positive returns to investors. The most common and well-known hedge fund fee structure combines both management and performance-based fees. First, the “management” fee […]

  • The History of Hedge Funds

    In 1949, Alfred Winslow Jones devised and implemented an investment strategy that would forever brand him as “the father of the hedge fund industry.” While working for Fortune Magazine and investigating financial strategies, Jones decided to launch his own fund and raised a total of $100,000, $40,000 of which was his own money. Jones employed two strategies still used heavily […]

  • How Do Hedge Funds Work?

    There is no specific formula for how hedge funds work because different hedge funds employ a multitude of different strategies. However, there are some common characteristics that are present in most hedge funds. All hedge funds start with a hedge fund manager. This manager brings a specific strategy or investment philosophy to the table. Maybe he chooses to use leverage, short-selling, or derivatives. […]

  • What is a Qualified Client?

    With regards to hedge fund investing, an accredited investor is not to be confused with a “qualified client.” Qualified Clients are the most attractive investors for hedge fund managers. They must meet one of the following criteria: A natural person who or a company that immediately after entering into the contract has at least $ 750,000 under the management of […]

  • What is an Accredited Investor?

    Due to the risky nature of hedge funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission requires that investors meet certain minimum requirements. An “accredited investor” must meet one of the following prerequisites as defined by the SEC: a bank, insurance company, registered investment company, business development company, or small business investment company an employee benefit plan, within the meaning of the Employee […]

  • Private Equity Funds

    Private equity funds are funds made available to a limited group of high net worth investors, making them similar to hedge funds. Private equity funds are similar to hedge funds in that both require a sufficient initial investment, usually around $1 million. However, while there are some similarities, hedge funds do vary from private equity funds. Hedge funds usually aim […]

  • Prime Broker

    Prime Brokerage is the generic name for a bundled package of services offered by investment banks to hedge funds. The business advantage to a hedge fund of using a Prime Broker is that the Prime Broker provides a centralized securities clearing facility for the hedge fund, and the hedge fund’s collateral requirements are netted across all deals handled by the […]

  • Fund of Funds

    A Fund of Funds, by definition, is a fund that invests in other hedge funds, rather than in individual securities.  Any fund that pools capital together, while utilizing two or more sub managers to invest money in equity, commodities, or currencies, is considered a Fund of Funds. Investors allocate assets to Fund of Funds products mainly to diversify amongst the […]