WEALTH WATCH
STEPHEN CRANSTON: Private equity takes the high ground and cuts hedge funds down to size
The internal rate of return from this alternative asset sector over 10 years has been 11.6%, compared with 10.7% for the JSE
Normally at this time of year I write on the hedge fund industry based on the results of the Novare survey. It shows how much assets have grown and which are the popular strategies. Unfortunately, Novare has changed the cut-off date from June 30 to December 31. It always sends a bad signal when a company changes its year end, and this is no different. It comes at a time when hedge fund assets have been falling on poor returns. This has to be good news for the other large category of alternative assets, private equity. Private equity has taken the high ground. It helps that the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (Savca) has had three excellent CEOs in JP Fourie, Erika van der Merwe and Tanya van Lill. Hedge funds do not even have their own association anymore; they are covered by an ad hoc committee of the Association for Savings & Investment SA staffed by volunteers. There is an illiquidity premium for private equity that must be held for seven to 10 ye...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.