Investor protection: Why bother rating hedge funds?

Benefit of hedge fund ratings to investors is questionable.

In theory, it sounds like a good idea – publicly rating hedge funds according to their level of operational risk. But whom exactly is it helping? In July this year, Moody’s Investors Service announced its criteria for rating hedge funds; in September, Standard and Poor’s followed suit.

Funds of hedge funds, which can perhaps be seen as having the most to lose from a rating system, have been quick to highlight the ratings’ failings. Investors tend to buy into funds of hedge funds on the basis that these funds have due-diligence expertise.

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