Are Chinese market-neutral strategy hedge funds really market neutral?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the “market-neutral” characteristics of the market-neutral strategy hedge funds in Chinese A-share market.

Design/methodology/approach

The analyses in the paper are conducted to study the market-neutral characteristics by means of index analysis, correlation analysis, β-neutral analysis and the three-factor model analysis.

Findings

The results show that the performance advantage of the market-neutral strategy hedge funds is obvious. Most market-neutral strategy funds are exposed to market risks and the α strategy funds also have obvious style factor exposure; strictly speaking, all of the market-neutral strategies have not reached the “market-neutral” requirements. This paper also finds that Chinese trading restrictions on stock index futures in September 2015 have a significant impact on Chinese market-neutral strategy hedge funds.

Originality/value

The conclusion of this paper has a certain reference value for understanding the risk characteristics and possible problems of hedge funds in emerging markets, and also has important reference value for investors.

Citation

Huang, X. and Sun, J. (2018), "Are Chinese market-neutral strategy hedge funds really market neutral?", China Finance Review International, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp. 21-42. https://doi.org/10.1108/CFRI-04-2017-0033