Alternative investments managers typically attempt to produce targeted returns or absolute performance, regardless of the underlying trends in the financial markets. They implement a wide array of trading strategies, from equity, fixed-income, CTA portfolios, or mathematical algorithms, however they each strive to capture market inefficiencies.

The strategies they utilize are not as easily accessible, especially for other regulated entities, such as mutual funds. To achieve this absolute return, alternative investments managers have the flexibility to incorporate different strategies and techniques that may include:

Short-selling: Sale of a security that you do not own, with the anticipation of purchasing it in the future, at a reduced cost.

Arbitrage: Simultaneous buying and selling of a financial instrument in different markets to profit from the difference between the prices

Hedging: Buying/selling a security to offset a potential loss on an investment.

Leverage: Borrowing money for investment purposes.