Hedge Fund Due Diligence: A Source of Alpha in a Hedge Fund Portfolio Strategy
Journal of Investment Management, 2008
Posted: 26 Nov 2008
Date Written: November 25, 2008
Abstract
Due diligence is an important source of alpha in a well designed hedge fund portfolio strategy. It is generally understood that the high returns possible in investing in hedge funds are somewhat offset by the relative lack of transparency on operational issues. The performance of a diversified hedge fund portfolio can be enhanced by excluding those funds likely to do poorly or fail due to operational risk concerns. However, effective due diligence is an expensive concern. This implies that there is a strong competitive advantage to those funds of funds sufficiently large to absorb this fixed and necessary cost. The consequent economies of scale that we document in funds of funds are quite substantial and support the proposition that due diligence is a source of alpha in hedge fund investment.
Keywords: Hedge funds, operational risk, due diligence, alpha
JEL Classification: G00
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation