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Hedge fund portfolio selection with fund characteristics

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  • Joenväärä, Juha
  • Kauppila, Mikko
  • Kahra, Hannu

Abstract

This paper examines hedge fund portfolio selection approaches in isolation and in the context of an investor’s overall portfolio. Characteristics-based portfolios that minimize risk delivers superior out-of-sample performance. For instance, a minimum variance portfolio tilting toward small funds with high alpha and strategy distinctiveness index and low systematic risk delivers an annualized Sharpe ratio of 2.03 with a maximum drawdown of 5.20%. Investors realize diversification benefits by shifting a portion of their wealth from 60 to 40 equity-bond portfolio to characteristics-based hedge fund portfolio. Investors recognize the attractiveness of characteristics-based portfolios, but do not target flows enough to erode their superior performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Joenväärä, Juha & Kauppila, Mikko & Kahra, Hannu, 2021. "Hedge fund portfolio selection with fund characteristics," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:132:y:2021:i:c:s0378426621001916
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2021.106232
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    2. Lu, Shuai & Li, Shouwei & Zhou, Wei & Yang, Wenke, 2022. "Network herding of energy funds in the post-Carbon-Peak Policy era: Does it benefit profitability and stability?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Hedge fund performance; Portfolio optimization; Fund characteristics; Performance predictability; Performance persistence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models

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