Hedge Funds -- to Be Feared or Favored?

With the Madoff scandal came the realization that even funds that did consistently generate steady returns were not immune to trouble. There is even an aptly named "Hedge Fund Implode-o-Meter" website tracking the number of major funds which have "imploded" since late 2006.

Investors have demanded more. In 2008 they 'spoke with their feet' and the hedge fund industry suffered $782bn of redemptions. The Hedge Funds had to listen. What was requested, according to a report by Scorpio Partnership, was "transparency, simplicity and liquidity". Likewise, the Hedge Fund Scandals were a wake up call to investors and much more focus is being placed on operational due diligence, to avoid investing in any future hedge fund failures.