New Opalesque A SQUARE Index: “Alternative Alternatives” investments and niche strategies offer lower volatility and market risk than traditional hedge funds
Opalesque Ltd., a leading provider of online information services to the alternative investment industry, today announced the results of the Opalesque A SQUARE (’alternative-alternatives’) indices covering the performance of niche alternative investment funds. The indices are calculated based on the net performance of 583 single- and multi-manager funds currently listed in 22 categories in the Opalesque Solutions A SQUARE Fund Database.
http://www.opalesquesolutions.com/asquare/
The Opalesque A SQUARE Index gained 1.5% in December, bringing the 2010 performance to +9.83%. The A SQUARE Funds of Funds Index posted a gain of 0.82% in December, finishing 2010 up 2.15%.
The monthly performance of the A SQUARE Index ranged between a gain of 3.12% in September and a loss of 1.97% in May, with 9 positive and 3 negative months. With a single-digit 2010 return, it slightly underperformed its two benchmarks: Hedge funds tracked by the HFRI Fund Weighted Composite Index returned 10.56% in 2010, while global equity markets, represented by the MSCI World Index, ended the year with a gain of 10.96%.
While the index underperformed by only 1% last year, the returns were generated with notably low absolute and relative risk. Volatility (defined as annualized standard deviation) was 4.55% for the A SQUARE Index and 4.38% for the FoF Index, compared to 6.55% for the HFRI and over 20% for the MSCI World.
INFO AND CONTACTS
About the Opalesque A2 Indices and database:
Opalesque A SQUARE = Alternative Alternatives is the first web publication, globally, that is dedicated exclusively to “alternative” investments. A SQUARE’s weekly selection feature unique investment opportunities that bear virtually no correlation to the main stream hedge fund strategies and/or distinguish themselves by virtue of their “alternative” motive - social, behavioural, natural resources, sustainable / environment related investing. The archive containing all issues of A SQUARE published to date can be found here:
With currently 583 Alternative Funds in 22 categories, the new A SQUARE database is the only database dedicated exclusively to “alternative alternatives” investments with fast facts and investment oriented analysis. Investors interested in alternative funds would find the database very useful because of:
• Detailed information provided for each of the funds
• Categorization of funds, helping users to navigate through information of interest
• Information is updated/sent by the fund managers themselves, reducing margin of error in the facts and figures
• Mark funds as Favorites
• Mark funds for Comparison
• Extensive search option available
The A SQUARE database is located here:
http://www.opalesquesolutions.com/asquare/
The A SQUARE Index and the A SQUARE FoF Index are the first indices tracking the performance of niche investment strategies only. Both indices are equally weighting the performance of all funds and FoFs listed in our database. More information on the performance and methodology of the indices can be found here:
http://www.opalesquesolutions.com/asquare/a2index.html
About Opalesque:
Opalesque was formed in 2001 to provide professional news services to participants in the alternative investment sector. Since inception, Opalesque has been providing premium online information services related to the hedge fund and investment industries. The Opalesque publication Alternative Market Briefing is the only daily hedge fund news service read by the elite hedge fund managers themselves (see our Testimonial page for more). Opalesque is led by Matthias Knab, an internationally recognized expert on hedge funds and alternatives.
http://www.opalesque.com
Contacts:
Editor, Opalesque A SQUARE research:
Florian Guldner
E-Mail:florian@opalesque.com
Opalesque A SQUARE database support team:
(Telephone support is available Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM GMT)
Tel.: +44-208-144-4926 or +1 914 619 5223
E-Mail: support@opalesquesolutions.com
