Key Differences Between Alpha and Beta Portfolio Management

The process of launching a new fund is a complicated one, filled with stress-inducing challenges at every turn. From the moment the idea for the fund is conceived to the day it receives its license, there are countless points at which things can go wrong. From regulatory concerns to investor confidence, there is a lot on the line with every startup fund. To help you navigate the perilous waters of launching a new fund, we’ve put together this guide to what you can expect from each step of the process and how to make the most of it. From choosing the right location to marketing the fund, there’s a lot you can do to ease the stress of the process and make it as smooth as possible. 

There's the pressure to meet an outside capital target, the necessity of gaining SEC approval to begin selling shares to the general public, and the task of monitoring your investors' confidence to ensure they remain confident in your abilities moving forward. There are also two different types of portfolio management strategies you must decide between alpha and beta. While beta management is the more common way for venture capital and hedge funds to manage their portfolios, alpha portfolio management is becoming increasingly popular among larger firms that have billions under management. Let’s take a closer look at what each entails, so you can choose which strategy makes the most sense for your firm.

What is Alpha Portfolio Management?

Alpha portfolio management is a strategy in which a portfolio manager actively manages the portfolio to outperform a specific benchmark. In other words, the manager actively trades the portfolio in an attempt to produce a higher rate of return than the specific benchmark. This type of strategy is often utilized by larger firms that have billions under management, as it allows these firms to invest in a broad range of companies and sectors. Alpha management requires significant time and resources from portfolio managers and can be challenging to implement effectively.

Benefits of Alpha Portfolio Management

While beta portfolio management is the more common way for venture capital and hedge funds to manage their portfolios, alpha portfolio management is becoming increasingly popular among larger firms that have billions under management. Alpha portfolio management allows investors to diversify their holdings across a variety of sectors and industries. This strategy allows hedge funds to react to and capitalize on macroeconomic and sector-specific trends, such as the energy crisis of the early 2000s.

What Is Beta Portfolio Management?

Beta portfolio management is a strategy in which a portfolio manager attempts to track the performance of a specific benchmark, such as a particular index. In order to track the performance of a benchmark, the portfolio manager must rebalance the portfolio when it deviates from its target asset allocation. The benefit of this approach is that it reduces the risk of holding a single investment. The drawback is that it may not produce the best returns possible given the market conditions at any given time. In other words, the manager attempts to match the overall performance of the benchmark. This type of strategy is often utilized by smaller firms that specialize in a handful of specific industries. Beta managers typically strive to match the benchmark's performance by investing in the same securities as the benchmark, although this does not always happen. Beta portfolio management allows investors to diversify their holdings across a variety of sectors, such as real estate, healthcare, and technology. This strategy allows venture capital firms, hedge funds, and other investment companies to take advantage of the growth of certain industries without having to predict macroeconomic trends.

Why Choose Alpha Over Beta?

Alpha and beta portfolios are different types of portfolios. A beta portfolio is an index that represents the market. An alpha portfolio is a set of investment strategies that are designed to outperform the expected return of the market. Alpha is the expected rate of return above what is predicted by the market. Beta is the expected return based on how the market performs. If you invest in a beta portfolio, you will earn whatever rate the market is expecting. If you invest in an alpha portfolio, you will earn more than what the market expects. In other words, alpha portfolios are designed to outperform the market. If you want your returns to match what the market is projected to return, you’ll want to invest in a beta portfolio.

How to Implement an Alpha Portfolio Strategy?

The first step in implementing an alpha portfolio strategy is choosing an appropriate benchmark. There are multiple factors to consider when selecting a benchmark, including liquidity and volatility. Once the benchmark has been selected, the manager can choose an investment strategy. This can include investing in common stocks, bonds, commodities, or a combination of any of these assets. Depending on your firm’s mandate, you can choose to invest based on fundamental or technical analysis. Investors can also diversify their portfolios by investing in multiple strategies, including arbitrage, merger arbitrage, risk arbitrage, and event-driven investing.

Conclusion

When you think of corporations and the stock market, you probably imagine executives with briefcases full of documents flying back and forth between high-rise buildings. There’s something old-school about the whole thing, almost like another era. It’s not surprising then that the language they use is also archaic. Instead of talking about “portfolios” as we would today, they use terms like alpha and beta. While beta portfolio management is the more common way for venture capital and hedge funds to manage their portfolios, alpha portfolio management is becoming increasingly popular among larger firms that have billions under management. Alpha portfolio management is similar to beta management but with a focus on outperforming benchmark indices rather than tracking them. 

The stock market is a great way to earn money, but it does come with risks. You could lose a ton of money if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you have no experience investing in the stock market, you could end up losing your life savings in a matter of months. Let’s say you have $100,000 to invest. You decide to split that up among different stocks. If you pick the wrong stocks, or if you don’t know how to pick stocks at all, you could end up losing a good chunk of your money. An experienced investor could put that same $100,000 in their portfolio, and they could make millions. On the other hand, a newbie could lose $100,000 in just a few months because they don’t know what they’re doing. An alpha portfolio is like having a team of experienced investors working for you to make as much money as possible. With an alpha portfolio, you can earn as much money as you want without any risk whatsoever.