TORONTO, March 18, 2008 — Transparency and risk management are considered by investors to be just as important as performance when deciding whether to retain their managers of alternative investments, according to a major new report on the industry by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
A global survey of 226 institutional investors and alternative investment providers, conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit on behalf of PwC, found that flattening returns have contributed to investor pressure for more and better governance. The quality of compliance and risk management process (41% of investors) and transparency (41% of investors) were rated higher than performance (40% of investors) among the criteria for deselecting investment providers.
"Our findings back up the belief that when returns start to moderate investors focus more intently on operational infrastructure," says Raj Kothari, PwC partner and leader of the Canadian investment management practice. "Indeed the survey shows that this is a key ingredient and not just an element in keeping alternatives in their portfolios in a subdued environment."
Despite this, investors have been slow to adapt risk assessment processes. More than half (53%) say that they have made no change to their risk management policies despite an increased allocation to alternatives.
The study, which covers hedge funds, private equity, real estate and infrastructure funds, also reveals a gap in perceptions between investors and providers. Investment firms largely believe they are good at managing risk. They rate themselves 'effective' in the accounting and reporting of transactions (67%) and policies to protect against fraud (65%). Investors largely disagree. For instance, just 18% of hedge fund investors think valuation policies are effective and only 16% think IT security is good.
Although many alternative investment providers are suffering from the effects of the global credit crunch, the report predicts the industry will enjoy rapid growth over the next three years. Among investors, 41% expect to increase their allocation to real estate, 40% to private equity, 35% to commodities and 33% to hedge funds. Very few plan a smaller allocation to any of these sectors.
Other key findings include:
- Hedge funds have come under particular pressure as returns have fallen. Less than half of respondents are satisfied with the performance of hedge funds (46%). Private equity and real estate fare better at 67% and 57% respectively.
- North American alternative investment firms are rated higher by investors for the quality of their governance, risk management reporting and levels of transparency. Asian firms are generally adequate in their breadth of reporting. European firms are found wanting in some areas.
- Many investors would like to see more guidelines and regulation. Nearly half of all hedge fund industry participants would support guidelines on reporting to investors and 41% would support formal disclosure to regulatory bodies.
- There is also a push for greater oversight of the private equity industry. This is particularly evident in Asia, where 55% of investors would like to see guidelines on reporting and 48% want formal disclosures to regulatory bodies. This clear desire for a strong framework is suggestive of an emerging regional industry seeking a fast-track route to global recognition.
- The more mature economies are least in favour of regulatory moves, with 43% of US private equity participants supporting guidelines on reporting and just 35% in Europe.
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