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Clickbait. Apparently the original headline read as John posted (up 35%). The text reads: "So far this year, RiverPark Long/Short Opportunity (ticker: RLSFX) is up 36.6%".
Online, Barron's had to change the headline: "This Stock Fund Has Soared More Than 30% This Year", and the actual figure as of the dateline (Sept. 17th) is 30.34%.
What's your interest in long/short? By definition they are leveraged funds (borrowing to sell short, using the cash to buy over 100% long). This fund (at least currently) is effectively a 130/30 fund.
At the same time, it's not hard to find large cap growth funds, mid cap growth funds, and global growth funds that have done better YTD without leveraging. Not to mention that the risk profiles of long and short positions differ: the amount you can lose with a long position is "just" 100%; your potential loss on short positions is unlimited.
This is not to say there isn't value in long/short funds. But what is the appeal of this fund beyond the headline figure? Even Wellington manages a fund (HGOYX) with a better YTD return.
At the same time, it's not hard to find large cap growth funds, mid cap growth funds, and global growth funds that have done better YTD without leveraging. Not to mention that the risk profiles of long and short positions differ: the amount you can lose with a long position is "just" 100%; your potential loss on short positions is unlimited.
Excellent point. There is no free lunch here. Besides the 2% expense ratio is too rich for my taste.
Comments
Stay safe, Derf
Online, Barron's had to change the headline: "This Stock Fund Has Soared More Than 30% This Year", and the actual figure as of the dateline (Sept. 17th) is 30.34%.
What's your interest in long/short? By definition they are leveraged funds (borrowing to sell short, using the cash to buy over 100% long). This fund (at least currently) is effectively a 130/30 fund.
At the same time, it's not hard to find large cap growth funds, mid cap growth funds, and global growth funds that have done better YTD without leveraging. Not to mention that the risk profiles of long and short positions differ: the amount you can lose with a long position is "just" 100%; your potential loss on short positions is unlimited.
This is not to say there isn't value in long/short funds. But what is the appeal of this fund beyond the headline figure? Even Wellington manages a fund (HGOYX) with a better YTD return.