Hedge Funds

Select the right hedge funds for your company
By Mary Yamin-Garone Hedge funds are an alternate means of investing. Unlike their mutual fund counterparts, the Securities Act does not regulate hedge funds and they have virtually no market liquidity. Although a risky venture, hedge funds — when carefully chosen—have the potential to yield a profitable return on investment.
 

It used to be an attorney was necessary when it came to hedge fund start up. Today — thanks to advances in technology — there are hedge fund consultants, experts and managers aplenty to help with hedge fund formation. To succeed in hedge fund investing you should:

1. Do your homework before selecting hedge funds. You also may want to learn how to start a hedge fund.

2. Learn about hedge fund rankings.

3. Research hedge fund software to find the program best suited to your company's needs.

Look for hedge funds and hedge fund companies online

The Internet is your best resource for finding hedge fund listings, hedge fund companies and hedge funds by location. There also are resource-filled websites for those new to the hedge fund world.
Try: You can find hedge funds registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) along with their top officers and a listing of their hedge funds at Private Equity Info. CogentHedge.com is another great source of information for hedge fund investors and managers. This site features profiles and data on a variety of hedge funds, including limited partnerships, limited liability companies and funds of hedge funds. Hedgeco.net provides basic hedge fund information for beginner investors.  Contact HedgeFund Capital Partners, a NASD licensed dealer for hedge fund capital in New York, for advice on your investment portfolio. 

Learn where to find hedge funds' rankings

Hedge fund firms are not required to reveal their profits and returns. That is why it is important to review a company's hedge fund's rankings before investing your money.
Try: Access the latest data source for global hedge funds at HedgeFund.net. Here you will find hedge funds' rankings, including how funds perform from one month to the next, its assets and any associated fees. The Hedge Fund Consistency Index offers hedge fund rankings for 4,000 funds and profiles for 5,000 funds. Free access to these rankings depends on whether you are deemed an "accredited investor" or "qualified purchaser" based on the site's online questionnaire.

Use hedge fund software and save your business valuable time and money

The variety of hedge fund software available today allows traders and account managers to keep track of their funds. It's time to trade in those Excel spreadsheets for an accounting program specifically designed for the hedge fund community.
Try: InvestorDynamo caters to a hedge fund start up, sophisticated hedge funds and everything in between. This easy-to-use hedge fund software serves as a marketing vehicle and manages investment contacts. FundCount handles accounting, tax reporting and a client's hedge fund needs while fihedge allows companies to custom design their own hedge fund software. Visit Forbes.com to access a hedge fund software directory. Before selecting a software provider compare cost, available features, operating system compatibility and product update schedule.

• Monitor the activity of hedge funds that are of interest to you, although hedge funds recommended by word-of-mouth often are the best.
• Look for hedge fund software that assimilates with other accounting software, such as Quicken or Quick Books.