•  
• Tweet
•  
•        Print
•  
•         Track Keywords
•  
• 

Komfie Manalo, Opalesque Asia:

A joint study by independent investment research firm Morningstar, Inc. and financial magazine Barron’s found that mutual funds accelerate as vehicle of choice for alternative strategies and long-short equity strategies garner most investor interest for fourth year in a row.

"Mutual funds continue to grow as the vehicle of choice for accessing alternative strategies. 2013 marked the strongest asset flows into alternative funds and the largest number of fund launches on record," Josh Charlson, director of manager research, alternative strategies, firm said in a statement. "For the fourth year in a row, long-short strategies garnered the most interest, but growing apprehension toward the bond market has also contributed to blistering growth in nontraditional bond funds."

Morningstar and Barron’s conducted the survey in March 2014 and received responses from 372 institutions and 301 financial advisors. Among the major trends in alternative investment usage and perception showed that long-short equity strategies continued to lead the way; interest also turning to multi-alternative and nontraditional bonds.

Organic growth rates for mutual funds rose to eye-popping levels. Long-short equity funds rose by more than 80% in 2013, followed......................

To view our full article Click here