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WHAT IS A HEDGE FUND? 1 WHAT GENERIC HEDGE FUND HAS SIMILAR LEVERAGE CHARACTERISTICS TO BANKS? 2 DO ALL HEDGE FUNDS HAVE A SIMILAR RISK PROFILE? IF NOT DESCRIBE THE TYPE OF RISK FACING EACH MAIN TYPE OF HEDGE FUND 3 More Risky 3 Moderate Risk 3 Risk-Avoidance 3 WHAT FINANCIAL RISKS LED TO FAILURE OF LONG-TERM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT (LTCM)? 4 WHY DID THE FEDERAL RESERVE OPT NOT TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT FINANCIALLY? 5 WHAT WERE THE ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR AND AGAINST THE RESCUE OF LONG-TERM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT? 6 Arguments for the rescue of LTCM: 6 Arguments against the rescue of LTCM: 6 WHAT TYPE OF FINANCIAL INVESTOR WAS DIRECTLY AFFECTED? WHAT WAS THE POTENTIAL INDIRECT EFFECT OF THIS CATEGORY INVESTOR FAILURE? 7 DOES THE RESCUE OF INSTITUTIONS LABELLED “TOO BIG TO FAIL” 9 Strengthen the long term stability of financial services sector? If so, how? 9 Encourage excessive risk taking in the knowledge of an implicit “safety net”? If so, explain why 9 WAS THIS A CASE OF CRONY CAPITALISM? 10 REFERENCES: 11

WHAT ARE HEDGE FUNDS?

Hedge funds are private investment funds that aim to make profits for their shareholders by trading securities. Hedge fund utilises a variety of financial instruments to reduce risks, enhance returns and minimise the correlation with equity and bond markets. They are flexible in their investment options and can use short selling, leverage, derivatives and arbitrage. Hedge funds are defined by their freedom from regulatory controls, stipulated by the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the Security Exchange Commission. Hedge funds do not have to disclose their activities to third parties, they offer a high degree of privacy for their investors and generally they take significant risks. They are actively managed investment portfolios holding position in publicly trading securities and

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