Hedge Fund Land: An Expensive Amusement Park?

August 16, 2017 |
3 minute read
|

In a series of articles, we have addressed two recent investment “fatigues” experienced by institutional investors: Active vs. Passive; and Global (ACWI) vs. US benchmarks.  In this article, we tackle the third and last “fatigue”— Hedge Funds.  Hedge funds have come under extreme criticism lately for their expensive fee structure, lack of performance, and too much “beta” wrapped up in an “alpha” fee structure.  It appears that hedge funds are run more for the amusement of the hedge fund manager and less for the benefit of the hedge fund’s clients.  These are all legitimate concerns but we still believe that there is value to be found in Hedge Fund Land.

The Rise of Hedge Funds

First, let’s take a step back in time.  The surge in hedge fund investing began with the popping of the Tech Bubble in the early 2000s.  Back then, the United States and every other developed equity market in the world suffered double digit declines for three straight years from 2000-2002. Yet, during this market downturn, hedge funds actually lived up to their name—they hedged the market downturn.  Over this time period, the S&P 500 declined a total of 37.6 percent (-14.5% per year) while the HFRI Composite Index of hedge funds increased by 8.2 percent (2.7% per year).  This is demonstrated in Exhibit 1.

Exhibit 1

CH1

Not surprisingly, the performance of hedge funds over this market downturn led to a surge of interest by institutional investors and, subsequently, the total assets under management in the hedge fund industry grew quickly.  Exhibit 2 demonstrates this growth in AUM.  Perhaps even more revealing, Exhibit 3 shows that the number of hedge funds also grew rapidly and now exceed the number of mutual funds in the U.S.— a demonstration of how quickly merchants set up “new rides” in Hedge Fund Land.

Exhibit 2
CH2

Exhibit 3

CH3

Unfortunately, with so much money flowing into hedge funds, this segment of the asset management industry has become as crowded as an amusement park on the 4th of July.  And this crowding has reduced the amount of alpha (excess return) available for hedge fund managers.  Simultaneously, more beta (market risk) has crept into the portfolios of hedge fund managers.  If alpha is scarce—and, indeed, it is—not all of the capital in Hedge Fund Land can be allocated to alpha generating rides. Some of this money must inevitably find its way into good old fashioned market beta.  Exhibit 4 demonstrates that as more asset managers set up booths in this new theme park and sold more tickets to get on the hedge fund carousel, more market risk began to creep into their portfolios.  Yet, hedge fund managers continued to charge their “2 and 20” fee structure despite a slower moving carousel. 

Exhibit 4
CH4

An Over-Crowded Amusement Park Just Isn’t as Much Fun

So, what are the alternatives to this expensive theme park?  First, there are daily “specials.”  That is, hedge fund managers are more willing to negotiate fees than ever before.  The old “2 and 20” fare to get on the hedge fund carousel is dropping quickly for savvy investors. 

Second, better risk tools can identify the full amount of market risk embedded in hedge fund returns and, conversely, the true amount of residual alpha.  Techniques such as measuring lagged betas, crowded trades, and hedge fund herding can all reveal which hedge fund theme park ride provides the most value for the cost.  For example, Exhibit 5 shows a group of hedge fund managers measured along two dimensions: crowded trades versus herding.  The goal is to select a group of hedge fund managers that are close to the zero axis—their performance does not come from crowding into trades of other hedge fund managers or from jumping on the hedge fund bandwagon.  The closer to the zero axis, the more differentiated their return stream.  Outliers, like those highlighted, are to be avoided—these are managers just piling in to other hedge fund managers trades, or hedge fund managers just following the herd.  In both cases, it demonstrates a lack of originality—paying expensive fees for run of the mill amusement park rides.

Exhibit 5

CH5

Last, it is important to measure hedge fund managers based on their marginal contribution to the portfolio.  On a standalone basis, a hedge fund manager might have a high Sharpe Ratio or other risk-adjusted measure.  However, that manager should not be judged on his/her standalone performance, but rather, on the impact to the total portfolio when that hedge fund manager is added to the mix.  If the Sharpe Ratio of the total portfolio declines with the addition of a new hedge fund, it is an indication that the hedge fund manager may contribute too many overlapping bets without adding any additional value to the portfolio.

In summary, we still believe that hedge funds have an important role in portfolio construction.  However, investors must be prepared to negotiate fees to take advantage of daily “specials” and to use newer risk tools to ensure that they pay only for the alpha rides in Hedge Fund Land. 

Mark J.P. Anson

Author

Mark J.P. Anson

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Commonfund

Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein has been obtained from or is based on third-party sources and, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified. Such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change and has not necessarily been updated. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, trustees, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Commonfund”) or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in any third-party materials. Accordingly, Commonfund shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any statement in, or omission from, such third-party materials, and any such liability is expressly disclaimed.

All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property.

To the extent views presented forecast market activity, they may be based on many factors in addition to those explicitly stated herein. Forecasts of experts inevitably differ. Views attributed to third-parties are presented to demonstrate the existence of points of view, not as a basis for recommendations or as investment advice. Market and investment views of third-parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Commonfund, any manager retained by Commonfund to manage any investments for Commonfund (each, a “Manager”) or any fund managed by any Commonfund entity (each, a “Fund”). Accordingly, the views presented herein may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of Commonfund, any Manager or any Fund.

Statements concerning Commonfund’s views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, are not intended, and should not be construed, as forecasts or predictions of the future investment performance of any Fund. Such statements are also not intended as recommendations by any Commonfund entity or any Commonfund employee to the recipient of the presentation. It is Commonfund’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client. All market outlook and similar statements are based upon information reasonably available as of the date of this presentation (unless an earlier date is stated with regard to particular information), and reasonably believed to be accurate by Commonfund. Commonfund disclaims any responsibility to provide the recipient of this presentation with updated or corrected information or statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information please refer to Important Disclosures.

Stay connected with the Insights Blog

Popular Articles


Investment Strategy | Articles

Challenges of Nonprofit Healthcare Organizations and Endowment Management

Facing cost pressures and a new regulatory regime, healthcare organizations — especially those in the small and mid-sized range — should consider adopting the principles of the endowment model....
Diversity | Articles

Affirmative Action: Implications for Endowments, Foundations, and the Broader Industry

Affirmative action, a practice used since the 1960s to edge toward equity and address historical and ongoing injustice through higher education attainment, was struck down last month by the Supreme...
Investment Strategy | Articles

Viewpoint | The Yin and Yang of Risk and Return

The conundrum of risk and return is that you can’t have one without the other. The key is finding the right balance for your foundation.

Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein has been obtained from or is based on third-party sources and, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified. Such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change and has not necessarily been updated. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, trustees, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Commonfund”) or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in any third-party materials. Accordingly, Commonfund shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any statement in, or omission from, such third-party materials, and any such liability is expressly disclaimed.

All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property.

To the extent views presented forecast market activity, they may be based on many factors in addition to those explicitly stated herein. Forecasts of experts inevitably differ. Views attributed to third-parties are presented to demonstrate the existence of points of view, not as a basis for recommendations or as investment advice. Market and investment views of third-parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Commonfund, any manager retained by Commonfund to manage any investments for Commonfund (each, a “Manager”) or any fund managed by any Commonfund entity (each, a “Fund”). Accordingly, the views presented herein may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of Commonfund, any Manager or any Fund.

Statements concerning Commonfund’s views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, are not intended, and should not be construed, as forecasts or predictions of the future investment performance of any Fund. Such statements are also not intended as recommendations by any Commonfund entity or any Commonfund employee to the recipient of the presentation. It is Commonfund’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client. All market outlook and similar statements are based upon information reasonably available as of the date of this presentation (unless an earlier date is stated with regard to particular information), and reasonably believed to be accurate by Commonfund. Commonfund disclaims any responsibility to provide the recipient of this presentation with updated or corrected information or statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information please refer to Important Disclosures.