The benefits of investing early in a hedge fund

17 May 2012
| By Staff |
image
image image
expand image

Taking an 'early stage' approach when investing in a managed funds is an attractive proposition for institutional investors seeking a customised investment exposure.

While the traditional method of early stage management involves taking a stake in the fund manager, the preferred approach is to have an investor in the fund at an early stage, said HSBC Alternative Investments global head of portfolio management Faraz Sultan.

He said these types of fund managers do not generally have a large asset base and are trying to establish their track record by generating a strong performance. 

Given the fact that HSBC generally invests in alternative funds with less than $300 million in assets, they also tend to be more nimble and flexible in volatile markets, Sultan added.

"That being said, we're looking for a fee discount for being an early bird investor. If you look at our portfolios that we've created, the average fee discount we've obtained on manager fees is about 50 per cent, and that's certainly one of the criteria for investing in these funds - along with (the funds) passing due diligence and research," he said.

In relation to European and US markets, Sultan said strategies involving trading have been producing strong returns, whereas fundamental or longer-term strategies in equity markets have found it difficult to perform in precarious markets.

As a result, institutional clients - particularly in Australia - are taking more of an advisory approach to investing and demanding more customised offerings as they look set to increase their overall allocation to hedge funds and alternatives, Sultan said.

Read more about:

AUTHOR

Recommended for you

sub-bgsidebar subscription

Never miss the latest developments in Super Review! Anytime, Anywhere!

Grant Banner

From my perspective, 40- 50% of people are likely going to be deeply unhappy about how long they actually live. ...

1 year 10 months ago
Kevin Gorman

Super director remuneration ...

1 year 10 months ago
Anthony Asher

No doubt true, but most of it is still because over 45’s have been upgrading their houses with 30 year mortgages. Money ...

1 year 10 months ago

Super Review rounds up last month’s biggest people moves in the superannuation industry, including a new fund chair and a private markets head....

13 hours 31 minutes ago

Australia’s largest super fund, AustralianSuper, has announced multiple additions to its executive leadership team to focus on global growth and innovation....

13 hours 28 minutes ago

Investment returns for the Future Fund hit a milestone in September, adding $200 billion in value for the first time ever....

13 hours 38 minutes ago

TOP PERFORMING FUNDS

ACS FIXED INT - AUSTRALIA/GLOBAL BOND