What is Good in HF?

I’m struggling to define the definition of “good” in the hedge fund world. Some funds aim to just outperform, some want to be uncorrelated to the market, and some want low consistent returns. I’ve written a few scripts myself and done some discretionary trading over the past 5 years, and they perform well and backtest very well. But I am not sure if they would be good in the HF world. Are there certain sharpe, sortino, profit factors that funds aim for? How should I evaluate if the way I manage money would be “good” in money management?

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Based on the most helpful WSO content, defining "good" in the hedge fund world can be complex and varies depending on the fund's objectives and strategies. Here are some key points to consider:

  1. Performance Metrics:

    • Absolute Returns: Some hedge funds focus on generating positive returns regardless of market conditions.
    • Risk-Adjusted Returns: Metrics like Sharpe and Sortino ratios are often used to evaluate performance relative to risk taken. A higher Sharpe ratio indicates better risk-adjusted returns.
    • Consistency: Funds like Millennium Management are noted for their consistent performance, rarely having losing years or multiple down months.
  2. Uncorrelated Returns:

    • Hedge funds are often designed to provide returns that are uncorrelated with traditional market indices. This means they can perform well even when the broader market is not.
  3. Diversification:

    • Some hedge funds aim to diversify portfolios by investing in various asset classes (e.g., credit, macro) that are not easily replicated in the market.
  4. Client Relationships:

    • Long-term client relationships and trust can be crucial. Funds that maintain good relationships and deliver consistent performance over time tend to stay in business.
  5. Market Conditions:

    • The ability to perform well in different market conditions is valued. Hedge funds are expected to make money in both good and bad markets, although this is challenging to achieve consistently.
  6. Compliance and Regulation:

    • Post-Madoff compliance and regulatory requirements have increased costs and complexity. Successful funds manage these aspects effectively.

To evaluate if your money management approach would be "good" in the hedge fund world, consider the following: - Backtesting and Real Performance: Ensure your strategies perform well not only in backtests but also in real market conditions. - Risk Management: Focus on how well your strategies manage risk and whether they can deliver consistent, risk-adjusted returns. - Diversification: Assess if your strategies can provide uncorrelated returns and add value to a diversified portfolio. - Compliance: Be prepared to meet regulatory and compliance requirements.

In summary, "good" in the hedge fund world is multifaceted, involving consistent performance, risk management, uncorrelated returns, and strong client relationships. Evaluating your strategies against these criteria can help determine their potential success in the hedge fund industry.

Sources: Explain to me like I'm a 12 year old the benefit of a hedge fund, Do you need to be a market genius to start a hedge fund?, Why do people invest in hedge funds?, Random Thoughts on the HF Industry, What should I know before starting a Hedge Fund?

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Generally risk adjusted returns is what hedge funds are judged on but each fund has their own mandate so it’s case by case. Sharpe is a pretty good metric and it shouldn’t be hard for you to find out your sharpe

 

Answer is simple = consistent returns + low volatility. A sharpe ratio above 1.5 or 2.0 would be incredible. HSD to LDD returns coupled with LSD vol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewco
 

In the pods, what’s a good sharpe (and if you could share target return on gross, which is all alpha, and the vol they are required to run with)

What’s the typical return threshold for an individual pod (so let’s say a team of a few people managing $1.5-3bn of gross, led by one main PM with a centerbook and maybe a few people under him with sleeves). What’s the range for target return / vol / sharpe for the sleeve books vs the pod in aggregate (sum of sleeves and centerbook)

I don’t fully understand all the math given this isn’t my space, but something about the sleeves being able to run higher vol because the $ pnl from all sleeves is additive, whereas vol/risk is sum of squares?

Would be great to hear some #s for ranges of returns, vol, and sharpe at the sleeve level vs sum of those sleeves/centerbook

 

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