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Is it alpha or beta? Decomposing hedge fund returns when models are misspecified

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  • Ardia, David
  • Barras, Laurent
  • Gagliardini, Patrick
  • Scaillet, Olivier

Abstract

We develop a novel approach to separate alpha and beta under model misspecification. It comes with formal tests to identify less misspecified models and sharpen the return decomposition of individual funds. Our hedge fund analysis reveals that: (i) prominent models are as misspecified as the CAPM, (ii) several factors (time-series momentum, variance, carry) capture alternative strategies and lower performance in all investment categories, (iii) fund heterogeneity in alpha and beta is large—an important result for fund selection and models of active management, (iv) performance is increasingly similar to mutual funds, (v) fund valuation is sensitive to investor sophistication.

Suggested Citation

  • Ardia, David & Barras, Laurent & Gagliardini, Patrick & Scaillet, Olivier, 2024. "Is it alpha or beta? Decomposing hedge fund returns when models are misspecified," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:154:y:2024:i:c:s0304405x2400028x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2024.103805
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Hedge fund returns; Alpha; Beta; Model misspecification; Large cross-section;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C55 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Large Data Sets: Modeling and Analysis
    • C58 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Financial Econometrics
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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