Managed Futures Versus Hedge Fund Versus Proprietary Trading

I know what a hedge fund and what a proprietary trading firm are, but I was wondering what differentiates these from a Managed Futures Fund. Obviously Managed Futures fund trades futures, but why can't a hedge fund that only does futures be called a Managed Futures Fund(or is it). Or why a proprietary trading firm that only trades futures, be called a Managed Futures Fund. Thanks.

5 Comments
 
Best Response

Dude, you're comparing apples and oranges on a couple different levels. Hedge funds and prop firms invest capital for their investors (if we're thinking about prop shops, the principals/partners are the investors). Hedge funds frequently offer their investors the opportunity to buy into different funds they are managing - these can be product-specific, strategy-specific, thematic, whatever. It's common for an investor to have their capital in Fund A that is managed by Hedge Fund X, similar to how many investors buy shares of a mutual fund run by asset managers. Futures are products, so a managed futures fund is an investment fund that primarily holds futures and which is managed by a hedge fund or asset manager.

 

As I said before, I know what hedge fund and prop firm are and what differentiates them.

But I believe, your last sentence answers my question. What is the difference between managed futures and hedge fund, and difference between managed futures and proprietary firm. My thought was one is strictly futures.

Based on your response managed futures is more specific as in trading sector, while.... hedge fund/proprietary is the investor of capital. Thank.

 

Minima voluptatem similique voluptas et est eum dolorem et. At harum beatae nihil voluptatem tempora. Nemo deleniti minima eum recusandae qui. Aut aut et similique consequuntur quo.

Molestiae velit est perferendis neque. Quisquam ratione quo dicta culpa quaerat voluptas et. Fugiat omnis iusto tempore harum sit.

Author "Jackass Investing: Don't do it. Profit from it." (#1 best-selling mutual fund book on Kindle) and Founder & Director of Research for Brandywine Asset Management.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”