DIANE HARRISON

5 INSIGHTS ON A HEDGE FUND OUTLOOK

http://allaboutalpha.com/blog/2015/03/12/5-insights-on-a-hedge-fund-outlook/

5 INSIGHTS ON A HEDGE FUND OUTLOOK

very year, Preqin publishes their annual review of the hedge fund industry, 120-plus pages of comprehensive data and
analyses providing a detailed look at the industrys make up. According their website, Preqin is the alternative assets
industrys leading source of data and intelligence. Our products and services are utilized by more than 24,000
professionals located in over 94 countries for a range of activities including investor relations, fundraising and marketing, and
market research.
SOME INTERESTING FINDINGS TO CONSIDER IN 2015
Their 2014 Global Hedge Fund Report, released in February, includes a wealth of information which can assist investors and
providers of hedge fund services with a game plan of action to implement in 2015. With over 4,800 participants contributing
information and responses to Preqins survey data, there is no question that the findings give some solid indications of the
direction the hedge fund industry is heading in the near future. Here are five such items I thought notable to extract as
bellwether factors supporting 2015 as another year poised for the industrys growth:
1. THE PIE SLICE IS GROWING.
More fund allocations will shift from long-only and fixed income to hedge funds in 2015. This indicates that not only is the
interest and appetite level of investors for hedge funds growing, but the portfolio allocation slice devoted to hedge funds is now
gaining ground from traditional assets versus cannibalizing other alternative asset allocations. With over $3 trillion USD in AUM,
the hedge fund industry is likely to get bigger at the expense of traditional assets.
2. HEDGE FUNDS ARE HERE TO STAY.
84% of investors plan either to increase or hold steady on their hedge fund allocations in 2015. 85% of consultants to these
investors plan to recommend the same action. These overwhelming figures give credence to hedge funds ability to offer
diversification, protection against market downturns, and lowered volatility for investors even when relative performance may not
be superior to other asset classes.
3. SMALL IS THE NEW BIG.
Investors listed better returns and negotiable fees as two of the primary reasons they look to emerging managers when
considering hedge fund allocations. These managers are more likely than their larger counterparts to negotiate fees with
investors. 91% of investors feel that small and emerging managers have met and/or exceeded performance expectations in
PANEGYRIC MARKETING| MARCH 2015

DIANE HARRISON

5 INSIGHTS ON A HEDGE FUND OUTLOOK

2014. 68% of emerging managers have less than $250M in AUM, indicating that manager supply in smaller funds is available to
match this growing demand.
4. TRACKING THE PERFORMANCE.
As of the end of 2014, 20% of emerging fund managers launched their funds in the last 3 years. This fact is notable in that
institutional investors who require at least 3 years track performance will now have increased options to choose from in the
2015 emerging manager fund universe.
5. WHOS PLAYING?
The survey findings show that, at the end of 2014, insurance companies are beginning to join the hedge fund investment party.
Though they only contributed 2.4% of the investor base in hedge funds, a figure which lagged all other institutional investors,
insurance companies allocated larger amounts in dollars than the average institution. This factor is relevant in showing their
growing interest in hedge fund investing as a meaningful trend for 2015.
Liquid alternative products grew in popularity as well, with over $240 billion USD in AUM in 348 funds at the end of 2014.
Investors fueled this growth with their desire for liquidity and scale in a mutual fund structure providing the benefits of a hedge
fund.
And finally, fund of fund structures, formerly derided as fee-pumped performance laggards, are sharpening their focus to add
value. As of the end of 2014, fund of funds posted their first year of growth since 2011, illustrating their willingness to retool
themselves into investor-focused vehicles offering manager selection and due diligence expertise wrapped in a simplified
investment option.
OUTLOOK IS FAVORABLE FOR 2015
While there is no question that investing in anything these days poses risks, the 2014 findings point to some bright spots for
astute investors. The hedge fund industry is showing some true spikes in interest and opportunity from both the buy side and
the sell side. It remains to be seen whether or not it will capitalize on them in 2015.

Diane Harrison is principal and owner of Panegyric

Marketing, a strategic marketing communications firm founded in
2002 and specializing in a wide range of writing services within
the alternative assets sector. She has over 20 years of expertise
in hedge fund marketing, investor relations, sales collateral, and a
variety of thought leadership deliverables. Panegyric Marketing received consecutive year awards in 2013-14 as IHFAs Innovative
Marketing Firm of the Year and AIs Marketing Communications Firm of the Year- US. A published author and speaker, Ms. Harrisons
work has appeared in many industry publications, both in print and on-line.
Contact: dharrison@panegyricmarketing.com or visit www.panegyricmarketing.com.

PANEGYRIC MARKETING| MARCH 2015