Abstract

This paper investigates whether hedge funds arbitrage market anomalies. A seven-factor model was utilized including traditional Fama and French (1993) and Carhart (1997) factors as well as other factors associated with the anomalies of earnings momentum, equity financing, and asset growth rates. The average hedge fund employs a strategy consistent with the asset growth rate anomaly factor and opposite that of the equity financing factor. On a strategy specific basis, it was found that many sectors of hedge funds successfully arbitrage the asset growth anomaly and a few successfully arbitrage the earnings momentum anomaly. Successful use of the equity financing anomaly was not found. Seven-factor model alphas tend to be positive and significant, indicating funds generate substantial returns unrelated to the seven factors.

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