Hedge funds drop off agenda as criticism ebbs

Financial Sentiment Tracker, June 1, 2012 – April 30, 2013

 May 5, 2013. New York – Hedge funds are generally associated with the U.S. market and have been receiving lower levels of visibility in the business media over the last several months as analyst opinion on them has moved towards neutral, according to new research from Media Tenor International.

“Hedge funds are mostly covered by the Financial Times,” said Racheline Maltese, a researcher with Media Tenor, “although most of the coverage involves the U.S. In 2012, analyst assessment of these funds was extremely negative, but the picture has arguably improved in 2013. Investors should still be cautious, however. Hedge fund visibility is dropping, creating risk and inhibiting transparency.”

Exchange traded funds have become strongly visible in quoted analyst statements in April, with a slightly positive media assessment, suggesting that these products are viewed as suitable, low-risk options for individual investors. Equity funds have also been relatively visible, but media opinion on them is sharply split, with risky opportunity suggested by this level of contentiousness. Fixed income funds have received little visibility in April, but the tone is strongly positive, suggesting possible safety there as well.

“The overall tone on funds has consistently hewed towards neutral, since the middle of last year,” Maltese says, “but not all funds are created equal in the media. Analyst quotation selection by the media suggests that hedge funds are only viewed as worthy of investor attention when they are being criticized.”

For additional information, or to schedule an interview with Media Tenor, please contact Racheline Maltese 646-263-3731, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..