Why invest in hedge funds?

Hedge funds are a type of mutual funds that are unregistered private instruments partnerships that trade in different types of instruments like securities, non-securities, derivatives, etc. Hedge funds are not subject to the same regulatory requirements that mutual funds need to fulfill. These investments are not regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). All other types of mutual funds are required to follow such regulations.

Hedge funds are pooled money from individual investors, high net worth individuals (HNIs), banks, corporations, etc. that are collectively invested in different securities in the national and international markets. There are different strategies using which these funds are invested, and each of these strategies differ. Hedge fund managers invest their client’s funds based on their specific requirements.

In event driven hedge funds, the investors take advantage of the price movements in the market, for example, when a corporation is involved in a merger or acquisition, etc. Another strategy is long/short selling in which the funds of the portfolio are equally distributed among long and short positions in the market. This way, the portfolio has a better risk-return policy, as the risk is mitigated in such a way that even when the market is not performing well, the portfolio performs well. 

There are different types of hedge mutual funds like domestic, off shore, and fund of funds. Domestic hedge funds are those investments that are made within the country and are subject to taxation by the Government of India. Offshore funds are invested in countries outside the home country, preferably to reap the benefits of low taxation in such countries. Fund of funds are an entirely different type of funds that are invested in other hedge funds, instead of the securities. Hedge funds carry high risk as it does not fall under the regulation of SEBI, but it also earns high returns as it is a pooled investment vehicle. This type of investment is a highly suitable credit solution for high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), banks, corporations, etc.