More Funds Are Hedging Their Bets

Slowly but surely the mutual fund masses from Main Street are mixing with the hedge fund set on Wall Street.

Hedge funds were once reserved for well-heeled investors looking for alternative investments wherein they could safely pass on their wealth to the next generation. Staggeringly high minimum requirements and exotic-sounding investment strategies kept the average retail investor on the outside looking in.

That's changed over the past few years. The mutual fund industry has gradually been rolling out new offerings that use sophisticated hedge fund strategies, but are tailored to meet the needs of the growing number of savvy retail investors. Simultaneously, the number of hedge funds in the U.S. has mushroomed to an estimated 6,800 with about $860 billion under management, leading to a greater awareness of the once reclusive and exclusive investment vehicle. ...