About the author FRANÇOIS-SERGE LHABITANT, PhD, is Chief Investment Officer at Kedge Capital in London. He was formerly a Member of Senior Management at Union Bancaire Privée, and prior to this, a Director at UBS/Global Asset Management. On the academic side, he is a Professor of Finance at the University of Lausanne and at EDHEC Business School. His specialist skills are in the areas of alternative investment (hedge funds) and emerging markets. He is the author of several books on these two subjects and has published numerous research and scientific popularisation articles. He is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Autorité des Marches Financiers, the French regulatory body. "Lhabitant takes us from the early 1930s to the latest cutting edge research in the field of hedge funds, blending both theoretical and practical information in this handbook and leaving no stone unturned. This new updated text with its panoply of new information, loads of examples and cases for educational purposes is well worth the investment. It is a must for beginners, institutional investors and money managers, lawyers, accountants, academics. In essence the bible of hedge fund books, you cannot ask for better." --Greg N. Gregoriou, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Finance, State University of New York (Plattsburgh)

Foreword by Mark Anson.

1 Introduction.

PART I HEDGE FUND OVERVIEW.

2 History Revisited.

3 Legal Environment.

4 Operational and Organizational Structures.

5 Understanding the Tools Used by Hedge Funds.

PART II HEDGE FUND STRATEGIES AND TRADE EXAMPLES.

6 Introduction.

7 Long/Short Equity Strategies.

8 Dedicated Short.

9 Equity Market Neutral.

10 Distressed Securities.

11 Merger Arbitrage.

12 Convertible Arbitrage.

13 Fixed Income Arbitrage.

14 Emerging Markets.

15 Global Macro.

16 Managed Futures and Commodity Trading Advisors(CTAs).

17 A Smorgasbord of Other Strategies.

PART III MEASURING RETURNS, RISKS AND PERFORMANCE.

18 Measuring Net Asset Values and Returns.

19 Return Statistics and Risk.

20 Risk-Adjusted Performance Measures.

21 Databases, Indices and Benchmarks.

PART IV INVESTING IN HEDGE FUNDS.

22 Introduction.

23 Revisiting the Benefits and Risks of Hedge FundInvesting.

24 Asset Allocation and Hedge Funds.

25 Hedge Fund Selection: A Route Through the Maze.

26 Funds of Hedge Funds.

27 Structured Products on Hedge Funds.

28 Conclusions.

Bibliography.

Index.

"...Das 'Handbook of Hedge Funds'deckt ein breites Spektrum zum Thema Hedgefonds ab und ist für Praktiker und Akademiker geeignet, die sich einen umfassenden Überblick zu dieser Asset-Klasse verschaffen wollen bzw. vertiefende Kenntnisse anstreben. Ein wichtiges Standardwerk..."

Absolut report Nr 36 Feb/März 2007
"With the Handbook of Hedge Funds, François-Serge Lhabitant has created the fundamental guide to hedge fund investments. It covers a lot of ground and can truly serves as an encyclopaedia for both the entry level investors as well as to those to would like do delve a little deeper into specific themes. It also includes information on legal environments as well as operational aspects, which other recent publications are clearly lacking." --Barbara Rupf Bee, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Republic Investments Limited

"Everybody talks about hedge funds these days, but not many people seem to know too much about them. François Lhabitant is the exception. His first book was great, this one is even better. It provides an excellent and unique introduction to the subject; straightforward, objective and with lots of insightful examples. For anyone looking for a serious introduction to hedge funds, this is the book to read." --Harry M. Kat, PhD, Professor of Risk Management and Director Alternative Investment Research Centre, Cass Business School, London

"One of the most comprehensive book about hedge funds ever written. A must read for anyone seeking a thorough understanding of the sector. The book offers a good combination of theory and practice, with the use of interesting and recent case studies. It is very useful in addressing misconceptions and throws light where light is needed."

--Florence Lombard, Executive Director, The Alternative Investment Management Association Limited (AIMA)

"Within the past decade, hedge funds have growth to become an accepted part of the investment landscape. With that growth, however, a number of myths have also come into existence. This book is a must read for those individuals who wish to know what is fact and what is not. Moreover, Lhabitant has done it in a manner which educates rather than confuses. Simply put, any academic, practitioner or serious investor should find a place for this on their bookshelf." --Thomas Schneeweis, Michael and Cheryl Philipp Professor of Finance, University of Massachusetts, Director of the Center for International Securities and Derivatives Markets

"This book is an outstanding achievement that brings the reader into the fascinating world of hedge funds. The combined practitioner and academic experiences and records of the author are well translated into this book that gives not only a detailed overview of the industry but detailed explanations of the strategies and deals that are conducted by hedge fund managers. A must read!" --Pascal Botteron, PhD, Director of Head Hedge Fund Investments, Deutsche Bank (Suisse)