CRITICAL THINKING QUESTION

Hedge Fund Strategy A critic recently claimed that hedge funds cause market volatility to increase when they publicize (and document) that a public corporation exaggerated its earnings. The critic argued that hedge funds should not be allowed to make such public statements, and should not be allowed to take short positions that bet against the firm that is being criticized. Write a short essay that supports or refutes this opinion. Managing in Financial Markets As an individual investor, you are attempting to invest in a well-diversified portfolio of mutual funds, so that you will be somewhat insulated from any type of economic shock that may occur.

a. An investment adviser recommends that you buy four different U.S. growth stock funds. Since these funds contain over 400 different U.S. stocks, the adviser says that you will be well insulated from any economic shocks. Do you agree? Explain.

b. A second investment adviser recommends that you invest in four different mutual funds that are focused on different countries in Europe. The adviser says that you will be completely insulated from U.S. economic conditions, and that your portfolio will therefore have low risk. Do you agree? Explain.

c. A third investment adviser recommends that you avoid exposure to the stock markets by investing your money in four different U.S. bond funds. The adviser says that because bonds make fixed payments, these bond funds have very low risk. Do you agree? Explain.