Neutrality of equity market neutral strategy to period and index

Abstract

This study examines the performance of equity market neutral (EMN) hedge funds by estimating alpha and beta, using monthly excess returns of the Fidelity Investments Spartan® US Bond Index Fund, the S&P 500 index and two indices of EMN strategies. The study investigates how much exposure to systematic risk is experienced by EMN hedge funds and hence by the investors in such funds. In addition, the article ascertains the stability of the estimated betas of EMN hedge fund indices. Results show that EMN fund indices had no systematic (stock and bond market) risk before the subprime mortgage crises of 2008. During the crises, the DJ Credit Suisse EMN index showed a positive beta in excess of 0.4, yet the Greenwich Van Hedge EMN index showed a beta less than 0.1. Similarly, the DJ Credit Suisse EMN index had no bond market beta up until November 2008. The Greenwich Van Hedge EMN index had almost no exposure to the market. The results were sensitive to market conditions and the EMN index. DJCS and GVH both had positive stock market alphas, which turned insignificant around October 2008. Similarly, both indices had positive bond market alphas, which turned insignificant around August–November 2008.