What is Hedge Fund? Definition of Hedge Fund, Hedge Fund Meaning - The Economic Times (2024)

Definition: Hedge fund is a private investment partnership and funds pool that uses varied and complex proprietary strategies and invests or trades in complex products, including listed and unlisted derivatives.

Put simply, a hedge fund is a pool of money that takes both short and long positions, buys and sells equities, initiates arbitrage, and trades bonds, currencies, convertible securities, commodities and derivative products to generate returns at reduced risk. As the name suggests, the fund tries to hedge risks to investor’s capital against market volatility by employing alternative investment approaches.

Description: Hedge fund investors typically include high net worth individuals (HNIs) and families, endowments and pension funds, insurance companies, and banks. These funds work either as private investment partnerships or offshore investment corporations. They are not required to be registered with the securities markets regulator and are not subject to the reporting requirements, including periodic disclosure of NAVs.

There are many strategies a hedge fund may use to generate returns. One such strategy is global macros, where the fund takes long and short positions in large financial markets based on the views influenced by economic trends. Then there are funds that work on market-neutral strategies. Here, the goal of the fund manager is to minimise market risks by investing in long/short equity funds, convertible bonds, arbitrage funds, and fixed income products.

Another type includes event-driven funds that invest in stocks to take advantage of price movements generated by corporate events. Merger arbitrage funds and distressed asset funds fall into this category.

As of June 30, 2014, there were 158 alternative investment funds (pooled-in investment vehicles for private equity, real estate, and hedge funds). Some examples of hedge funds include names like Munoth Hedge Fund, Forefront Alternative Investment Trust, Quant First Alternative Investment Trust and IIFL Opportunities Fund. There are others such as Singlar India Opportunities Trust, Motilal Oswal’s offshore hedge fund and India Zen Fund.

The minimum ticket size for investors putting money in these hedge funds is Rs 1 crore. According to Eurekahedge India Hedge Fund Index, which tracks hedge funds in India, the category generated 5.07 per cent return in 2015 compared to 38.84 per cent logged in 2014.

What is Hedge Fund? Definition of Hedge Fund, Hedge Fund Meaning - The Economic Times (2024)

FAQs

What is Hedge Fund? Definition of Hedge Fund, Hedge Fund Meaning - The Economic Times? ›

Definition: Hedge fund is a private investment partnership and funds pool that uses varied and complex proprietary strategies and invests or trades in complex products, including listed and unlisted derivatives.

What is the definition of a hedge fund? ›

A hedge fund is a limited partnership of private investors whose money is pooled and managed by professional fund managers. These managers use a wide range of strategies, including leverage (borrowed money) and the trading of non-traditional assets, to earn above-average investment returns.

What is a hedge fund quizlet? ›

Hedge funds are private, actively managed investment funds, investing in a diverse range of markets, investment instruments, and strategies.

What is a hedge fund hedging? ›

Hedging is the process in which some studies refer to as risk management. The reason is that hedging allows organisations like hedge funds to diversify their portfolios in order to reduce risk. If hedging is done properly organisations or investors can try and provide themselves with their own type of insurance.

What is the meaning of hedge to hedge? ›

verb. hedged; hedging. transitive verb. 1. : to enclose or protect with or as if with a dense row of shrubs or low trees : to enclose or protect with or as if with a hedge (see hedge entry 1 sense 1a) : encircle.

What is a hedge fund for dummies? ›

Hedge funds use pooled funds to focus on high-risk, high-return investments, often with a focus on shorting — so you can earn profit even when stocks fall.

Why is it called a hedge fund? ›

In sum, hedge funds are called hedge funds because they use a full array of hedging techniques to reduce portfolio volatility. They are becoming increasingly popular, as private ownership of capital expands worldwide and large-scale capital owners seek to preserve their wealth in volatile markets.

What is the difference between a hedge fund and a fund? ›

Mutual funds are regulated investment products offered to the public and available for daily trading. Hedge funds are private investments that are only available to accredited investors. Hedge funds are known for using higher-risk investing strategies with the goal of achieving higher returns for their investors.

What is a hedge fund and its characteristics? ›

As a collection of assets that strives to 'hedge' risks to investor's money against market ups and downs, they need aggressive management. Unlike the typical equity mutual fund, they tend to employ substantial leverage. They hold both long and short positions, including positions in listed and unlisted derivatives.

Where does hedge fund money come from? ›

A hedge fund raises its capital from a variety of sources, including high net worth individuals, corporations, foundations, endowments, and pension funds.

Do hedge funds make money? ›

Hedge fund makes money by charging a Management Fee and a Performance Fee.

What is the role of hedge fund? ›

Hedge funds pool money from investors and invest in securities or other types of investments with the goal of getting positive returns.

Do hedge funds pay a lot? ›

The money is a big draw as well: if you're at the right fund and you perform well, you can earn into the mid-six-figures, up to $1 million+, even as a junior-level employee. The top individual Portfolio Managers can earn hundreds of millions or billions each year.

Why is hedging illegal? ›

While hedging is not illegal, you need to make sure it fits within your gambling goals while betting on sports. Simply hedging for no reason means you pay more to the bookie and you are cutting your potential earnings.

What is a hedge example? ›

A common form of hedging is a derivative or a contract whose value is measured by an underlying asset. Say, for instance, an investor buys stocks of a company hoping that the price for such stocks will rise. However, on the contrary, the price plummets and leaves the investor with a loss.

What does the Bible say about hedge? ›

The devil, Biblically symbolized as a snake (serpent), accused God of having a protective hedge around Job that included Job himself, his family and his wealth. Job 1:10 “Have you not put a hedge of protection around him and his household and everything he has?

How much money is considered a hedge fund? ›

It is not uncommon for a hedge fund to require at least $100,000 or even as much as $1 million to participate. Unlike mutual funds, hedge funds avoid many of the regulations and requirements within the Securities Act of 1933.

How much money do you need to be considered a hedge fund? ›

a minimum investment of $1 million to $10 million. Despite such high thresholds, through Morgan Stanley, clients can often gain access to funds at much lower minimum investments. As discussed later, investments in single manager hedge funds may be as low as $100,000 per fund.

What is the difference between a hedge fund and a real money fund? ›

A hedge fund differs from so-called “real money” — traditional investment accounts like mutual funds, pensions, and endowments — because it has more freedom to pursue different investment strategies. In some cases, these unique strategies can lead to huge gains while the traditional market measures languish.

What is the difference between a hedge fund and a normal fund? ›

Mutual funds are regulated investment products offered to the public and available for daily trading. Hedge funds are private investments that are only available to accredited investors. Hedge funds are known for using higher-risk investing strategies with the goal of achieving higher returns for their investors.

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