Hedge Funds

Investment Dictionary -> Hedge Funds

What is a Hedge Fund?

Nowadays, hedge funds play a significant and influential role in the financial world and command a great deal of attention. They are usually formed as private partnerships by large-scale investors with stable financial record and high professional skills and reputation. They are obliged to meet specific criteria, set up by each fund, in order to participate. As a rule, the initial Hedge funds operate in domestic and international markets, aiming to generate higher returns on the investment.

Hedge Fund Strategies

Before investing in a hedge fund, it is crucial to know the investment strategies used in a hedge fund. The type of strategy has an impact on the level of risk, the profit return, and the predictability of future results. Some of these strategies are:

investing in emerging markets this is a risky strategy because high levels of inflation and rapid changes are typical for such markets;
aggressive growth investing in stock market and the current economic situation;
distressed securities purchase at a considerable discount; buying the debt of companies that face potential bankruptcy or are already in default;
macro the investment is influenced by fluctuations in the global economy and takes place in all major markets;
discretionary macro the investments are chosen and run by investment managers;
systematic macro the investments are a result of software program selection;
fund of funds collaboration between hedge funds and other pooled investment vehicles, aiming (via the use different strategies) to lower the risk and maximize the profit in the long term.

What Are the Potential Risks while Investing?

Although the subsequent profit could be considerable, investing in a hedge fund is sometimes a risky business because of certain characteristics such as:

assets that are borrowed from a third party. The idea is to purchase new ones later and at a better rate, returning the borrowed asset to the original lender. The risk of loss is high, especially if the price before the new purchase rises;
lack of regulation the hedge funds management is subject to less supervision from financial regulators than the regular funds;
appetite for risk hedge funds are more likely to be involved in high-risk investments, such as distressed securities, collateralized debt obligations, etc.;
leverage except for the initial investment, hedge funds usually borrow additional and even greater amounts of money.

Free charting webinar

Mon, Nov 18th, 2013 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST

During the 60 minute session Paul Coghlan, founder of Coghlan Capital, looks at current charts for currencies, precious metals, US indices, highlighting turns and low risk entry points using the Median line analysis methodology.

Median line analysis reduces risk and increases the chartists ability to see trend direction, trend strength and highlight entry and exit levels.

Seats are limited so be sure to reserve your spot today. The webinar will be recorded, by signing up you'll receive an email with the webinar replay afterwards.