Ed Easterling

President, Crestmont Holdings, L.L.C.; Principal, Wingate Partners

Here is an overview of what to expect from the Spring 2008 course, FINA 6229 - Hedge Fund Investment Management.   The draft edition of the course syllabus is found by clicking on "up-coming classes" in the lower right column, then Course Material/Handouts.

This course examines topics related to alternative investments and the hedge fund style of investing, including issues affecting investment managers and considerations required of professional investors in hedge fund portfolios and alternative investments.  The hedge fund style of investing, which seeks absolute returns across all market conditions, employs a variety of skill-based techniques related to return generation and risk management.  With this framework as a backdrop, we will examine the hedge fund industry, measures of risk and return, portfolio management and construction considerations, and convergences with other investment alternatives, including private equity.  This course does not provide information on specific security selection; rather, it provides a practical perspective of portfolio management and risk management in the context of running a hedge fund, managing a portfolio of hedge fund investments, or investing in a variety of alternative investments.  This course is designed for students with an interest in a career in the hedge fund, financial advisory, or investment management industries.  The course requires a reasonable understanding of financial markets, securities, and spreadsheet modeling and will require preparation outside of the classroom.