CFA Level IAlternative InvestmentsMedium
A hedge fund manager uses a long/short equity strategy, holding $100 million in long positions and $60 million in short positions. The fund's beta to the market is 0.5. If the market experiences a 10% decline, what is the expected impact on the fund's net asset value (in millions), assuming all other factors remain constant?
- A-$2 million
- B-$10 million
- C-$4 million
- D-$8 million
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. -$2 million
The fund's net exposure is Long - Short = $100M - $60M = $40M. The market value of the equity exposure is then $40M * 0.5 (beta) = $20M. A 10% market decline will result in a loss of $20M * 0.10 = $2M. Alternatively, compute gross exposure ($160M), market beta (0.5), and then multiply by market decline.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This would be the loss if the fund had a net long exposure of $100M and a beta of 1.
- C. This might incorrectly apply the beta or miscalculate the net exposure.
- D. This significantly overestimates the loss, potentially by ignoring the beta or miscalculating net exposure.
Hedge Fund Market Exposure
Measures a hedge fund's sensitivity to overall market movements, often assessed through net exposure and beta.
- Net Exposure = Long Positions - Short Positions.
- Gross Exposure = Long Positions + Short Positions.
- Beta indicates the fund's systematic risk relative to the market.
Memory trick: Net Exposure times Beta feels the Market's tremor.