Alternative Investments

Alternative investment management is a multi-trillion industry that ecompasses sophisticated investing strategies, extensive operational considerations and use of a wide range of securities.   The modern institutional investor typically uses alternative strategies through a variety of investments in hedge funds, private equity firms, commodity trading advisors and real estate investment managers to enhance returns and/or reduce risk within their overall asset allocation models.  Finance IQ offers an extensive list of alternative investments courses that explore many of these strategies, provide a detailed review of key operational considerations and delve into many of the due diligence concerns that face investors in this field today.

Alternative Investments Overview
Hedge Fund Strategies
Hedge Fund Operations
Hedge Fund Due Diligence
Commodities and Commodities Trading

Alternative Investments Overview

This two day course offers participants a comprehensive review of the alternative investment universe.   Delivered by a successful hedge fund manager, the first day of this program begins by situating alternative investments within an overall portfolio and reviews the major regulations that govern non-traditional investments.   The day continues with descriptions of the hedge fund industry, hedge fund strategies, fee structures and risks, among other topics.  The second day will explore how private equity and venture capital funds are designed and structured, and what motivates investment decisions by these important capital providers.  The course will then review the nature and types of real estate investments and conclude with a discussion of the use of derivatives and commodities within a managed futures program.

Learning Objectives

  • Position Alternative Investments within an overall portfolio
  • Identify major regulations related to private investment funds
  • Explain the roles of outside service providers
  • Explain the concept of hedging and describe common hedge fund traits
  • Identify and describe the major hedge fund strategies
  • Calculate statistical measures of risk and return to evaluate performance

Duration:  Two days

Program Level:  Basic

Prerequisites:  There are no prerequisites

CPE:  14.0 CPE Credits

  • Describe the structure, terms and characteristics of private equity funds
  • Compare and contrast the characteristics and motivations of private equity funds versus venture capital funds
  • Calculate potential returns from private equity and venture capital investments
  • Identify the major risks for private equity investing
  • Explain how exposure to commodities is gained through investments in managed futures programs

Outline/Topics:

Day 1
  • Introduction
  • Regulatory & Operational Issues
  • Prime Brokerage
  • Hedge Fund Strategies
    • Market directional
    • Corporate restructuring
    • Convergence trading
    • Opportunistic
  • Risks and issues for Hedge Fund investors
Day 2
  • Private Equity
    • LBO vs. MBO
    • Investment characteristics
  • Venture Capital
    • Stages
    • Investment characteristics
    • Case studies
  • Real Estate
    • Forms of ownership
    • Valuation approaches
    • Investment vehicles
  • Summary & Questions

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Hedge Fund Strategies

This course will provide participants with an in-depth examination of various investment strategies employed by hedge funds.   The program will highlight the key aspects of each strategy that managers focus on in their pursuit of alpha.  Taught from the perspective a successful hedge fund manager, numerous real-world examples will be used to explain how strategies such as, long/short equity, arbitrage trading, corporate restructuring, global macro and managed futures are implemented and traded.

Learning Objectives

Outline/Topics:

  • Identify basic hedge fund characteristics
  • Explain how different hedge fund strategies influence operational considerations
  • Explain the considerations in pricing a portfolio
  • Identify various reports that managers rely upon
  • Compare and contrast order management and portfolio management
  • Discuss regulatory issues that influence hedge fund operations
  • Describe the roles of the various participants in trade and post-trade processing
  • Distinguish between clearance and settlement procedures
  • Identify various reports that managers rely upon

Duration:  One day

Program Level:  Basic

Prerequisites:  There are no prerequisites

CPE:  7.0 CPE Credits

1 Day Program
  • Introduction
  • Hedge Fund and Absolute Return Characteristics
  • Prime Brokerage
  • Hedge Fund Strategies
    • Market directional
    • Corporate restructuring
    • Convergence trading
    • Opportunistic
  • Risks and return measurement
  • Regulatory environment
  • Summary & Questions

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Hedge Fund Operations

This two day program affords participants detailed insights into the major operational considerations for hedge funds.  The course provides explanations of the various aspects of the hedge fund business that general partners, investment managers, operating officers and other stakeholders follow in managing a private investment fund.  Participants will learn about different hedge fund structures and strategies as well as extensive details behind trading, pricing, clearing and settlement of securities that comprise hedge fund portfolios.  The course will conclude with a discussion about unique hedge fund risks and how the industry is currently regulated.

Learning Objectives

Outline/Topics:

  • Identify basic hedge fund characteristics
  • Explain how different hedge fund strategies influence operational considerations
  • Explain the considerations in pricing a portfolio
  • Identify various reports that managers rely upon
  • Compare and contrast order management and portfolio management
  • Discuss regulatory issues that influence hedge fund operations
  • Describe the roles of the various participants in trade and post-trade processing
  • Distinguish between clearance and settlement procedures
  • Identify and contrast the various types of corporate actions

Duration:  Two days

Program Level:  Basic

Prerequisites:  There are no prerequisites

CPE:  14.0 CPE Credits

Day 1
  • Introduction
  • Hedge Fund Structures
  • Outside service providers
  • Prime Brokerage
  • Hedge Fund Strategies
    • Market directional
    • Corporate restructuring
    • Convergence trading
    • Opportunistic
Day 2
  • Positions & Balances
    • Reports
    • Pricing
    • Order management
  • Clearing
  • Settlement
  • Counterparties and clearing houses
  • Corporate Actions
    • Purpose
    • Impact
    • Life cycle
  • Regulatory oversight
  • Summary & Questions

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Hedge Fund Due Diligence

While at times extremely rewarding, investing in hedge funds carries a unique set of risks distinct from those normally associated with traditional investment vehicles.  This one day program is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the hedge fund due diligence process and how to analyze the results of the process.  The course will provide a template for conducting due diligence of a hedge fund and explore various case studies to highlight key areas of risk for investors in hedge funds.

Learning Objectives

Outline/Topics:

  • Identify basic hedge fund characteristics
  • Explain how different hedge fund strategies influence operational considerations
  • Explain the considerations in pricing a portfolio
  • Identify various reports that managers rely upon
  • Compare and contrast order management and portfolio management
  • Discuss regulatory issues that influence hedge fund operations
  • Describe the roles of the various participants in trade and post-trade processing
  • Distinguish between clearance and settlement procedures
  • Identify and contrast the various types of corporate actions

Duration:  One day

Program Level:  Basic

Prerequisites:  There are no prerequisites

CPE:  7.0 CPE Credits

1 Day Program
  • Introduction
  • Due Diligence Process
    • Basic facts
    • Strategy review
    • Risk analytics
    • Operational issues
    • Performance review
    • Personal facts and backgrounds
    • Monitoring
  • Prime Brokerage
  • Regulatory environment
  • Fund of Funds
    • What are funds of funds
    • Risk controls and risk measurement
  • Summary & Questions

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Introduction to Commodities and Commodities Trading

This one day course will introduce the participant to the world of commodities and commodity trading. With an emphasis on practical application, this program will examine today’s various commodities markets, the impact of technology and regulation, trading in OTC commodity products and recent developments regarding the banking industry and their association with the commodities markets.

The mechanics and strategies of trading commodities will also be analyzed with a concentration on how commodities are traded on futures exchanges, OTC markets and who are the players and their motivations.  Real world exercises will be presented to reinforce the topics taught and offer the student the opportunity to apply their knowledge.

Learning Objectives

Outline/Topics:

  • Identify and describe the components of the commodities markets
  • Distinguish between exchange traded and OTC products
  • Define the different participants in various markets and their motivations
  • Discuss recent regulatory developments and their impact on the banking industry and commodities markets
  • Describe the role that technology plays in the ongoing development of commodities markets

Duration:  One day

Program Level:  Basic

Prerequisites:  There are no prerequisites

CPE:  7.0 CPE Credits

1 Day Program
  • Introduction
  • Commodities markets
    • Futures versus forwards
    • Normal backwardation and contango
    • Basis Risk
    • Exercise: Hedging commodity market risk
  • Commodity derivatives
  • Commodity swaps
    • Commodity options
    • Crack spreads
    • Commodity structures
    • Exotics
  • Summary & Questions

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!