What defines a hedge fund?

A hedge fund is defined as an investment fund that employs a variety of strategies to generate high returns for its investors. These strategies may include long and short positions, leverage, derivatives, arbitrage, and more. Unlike traditional mutual funds, hedge funds can invest in a wider range of assets and are not as regulated, allowing them greater flexibility in how they operate. This innovative approach to investing enables hedge funds to pursue potentially high returns, but also entails higher risks.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of what a hedge fund is. For instance, describing it as a type of savings account for high returns misrepresents its nature; savings accounts are typically low-risk and do not employ active investment strategies. Limiting hedge funds to only investing in government securities does not reflect their broader investment mandate, as they often explore alternative investments beyond traditional securities. Finally, suggesting that hedge funds are restricted to investing in small, local businesses fails to recognize that these funds often engage in large-scale investments across various sectors and industries.