Higher moment diversification benefits of hedge fund strategy allocation

Abstract

Hedge funds are often used by institutional investors as a risk reduction tool in order to decrease portfolio volatility and create more stable return patterns. Normally, the portfolio construction process utilises a mean-variance approach and does not account for non-normal return distributions. In this article, we use higher moment betas to examine the effects on portfolio volatility, skewness and kurtosis when hedge funds are added to an equity portfolio. The results show that hedge funds, in general, can lower the volatility, skewness and kurtosis of the portfolio but large variations are seen between different hedge fund strategies. Convertible Arbitrage, Equity Market Neutral, Fixed Income Arbitrage, Merger Arbitrage and Macro are identified as the most attractive strategies to include in an equity portfolio for investors who care about higher moment risks and want to limit downside risk. Positive diversification effects still exist when serial correlation is accounted for but are then less pronounced.