Funds of Funds Expect Better Returns |
Date: Monday, June 12, 2006
Author: Bill McIntosh, Hedgeworld.com
Poll of managers indicates growing fourth quarter optimism
LONDON (HedgeWorld.com)—Fund of funds managers expect returns to pick up in the final quarter of 2006 with the recent burst in volatility in global markets driving many investors to seek more risk-adverse strategies, according to a new poll commissioned by Reuters.
The poll pinpoints global macro, long/short Japan and emerging market strategies to make the most improvements in returns in the final quarter. The quarterly survey, conducted between May 24 and June 6, polled 12 fund of funds managers, which together manage $81 billion. Lipper HedgeWorld is a wholly owned subsidiary of Reuters Group.
Optimism about returns is little changed from the previous poll conducted in March, notwithstanding the sharp falls during May in emerging markets, commodity prices, and stocks. However, the new survey shows a slight reduction in demand for long/short strategies from the March sounding.
"We believe we have to stick to quality and that can be found in multi-strategy managers that have a reduced beta and can weather some form of market correction," Robert Khoury at Union Bancaire Privée told Reuters. Mr. Khoury said UBP had reduced its long/short equity exposure in the past two months to 30% to 35% from 40% to 43% previously in some of its more aggressive portfolios.
The survey period closely followed a sharp rise in market volatility in the wake of a number of quarters when volatility was at historically low levels. Data from numerous sources shows that some hedge fund managers were caught by surprise. Despite the ensuing poor returns by some managers, hedge funds have traditionally thrived on volatility.
Now that theme is returning. "We like all volatility-related strategies as it appears to be coming back," said Mark Yusko at Morgan Creek Capital Management. "So much money left the convertible arbitrage and merger arbitrage space that we are raking it in with our managers in those spaces," Mr. Yusko added.
Morgan Creek's best strategy for the second half of the year is expected to be energy trading. "There has been a tremendous loss of capital from the energy trading business and that usually leads to strong returns for those who stick around," said Mr. Yusko. He said he expects energy markets to be volatile during the summer because of inventory concerns and the hurricane season in the United States.
Respondents say that global macro strategies also are likely to produce higher returns in the final quarter. "There is good money to be made in global macro," said Tim Gascoigne at HSBC Republic Investments. "In the past we have seen very little opportunities for global macro players in fixed income, but that has changed quite dramatically in the last few months," he said.
Managers are less optimistic about their U.S. portfolios. Median estimates showed allocations to U.S. stocks falling to 13% in the fourth quarter from 15% in the third quarter.
But they are looking to profit from heightened volatility in emerging markets. Median estimates showed allocations to the sector rising to 8% in the third quarter from 6.5% in the previous quarter, and rising to 9% in the final quarter.
"Regardless of excellent returns during 2005 and so far in 2006, this asset class will continue to prosper," said Dawn Kendall of GAIM Advisors. She added that the main risk was that emerging markets strategies would become crowded and dilute returns.
Ms. Kendall said GAIM's hot strategy over the next couple of quarters is global macro. Global macro funds are performing better this year and would benefit from currency movements, a change in global interest rate policies and rising commodity prices, she said.
The following fund of funds providers contributed to the survey: Auda Hedge LLC; Dexia Asset Management; E.I.M.; Heritage Alternative Investments; La Fayette Investment Management; Moran Creek Capital Management; Optimal Investment Services; Topiary Fund Management; and Union Bancaire Privée. One contributor was unattributable.
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