Hedge funds can generate massive returns in relatively short periods of time, and they can lose a great deal of moneyjust as quickly. What kind of investments can produce such diverse returns? One such investmentis distressed debt. This type of debt can be loosely defined as the obligations ofcompanies that have filed for bankruptcy or are very likely to filefor bankruptcy in the near future.
You might wonder why a hedge fund—or any investor, for that matter—would want to invest in bonds with such a high default risk. The answer is simple: The greater the level of risk you assume, the higher the potential return. In this article, we'll look at the connection between hedge funds and distressed debt, how ordinary investors can invest in such securities,and whether the potential returns can justify the risk.
Key Takeaways
- Hedge funds that invest in distressed debt purchase the bonds of firms that have filed for bankruptcy or are likely to do so in the near future.
- Hedge funds purchase these bonds at a steep discount of their face value in the anticipation that the company will successfully emerge from bankruptcy as a viable enterprise.
- If the failing company turns its fortunes around, the value of its bonds will increase, giving the hedge fund an opportunity to reap substantial profits.
- Because owning distressed debt is risky, hedge funds can limit their risks by taking relatively small positions in distressed companies.
The Potential for Profit
Hedge funds that invest in distressed debt look for companies that could be successfully restructured or somehow rejuvenated to once again become sound ventures. Hedge funds are able to purchase distressed debt (usually in the form of bonds) at a very low percentage of par value. If the once-distressed company emerges from bankruptcy as a viable firm, the hedge fund can sell the company's bonds for a considerably higher price. This potentialfor high—albeit risky—returns is particularly attractive to some hedge funds.
How Hedge Funds Invest in Distressed Debt
Access to distressed debt comes via several avenues for hedge funds and other large institutional investors. In general, investors access distressed debt through thebond market, mutual funds, or the distressed firm itself.
Bond Markets
The easiest way for a hedge fund to acquire distressed debt is through the bond markets. Such debt can be easily purchaseddue to regulations concerningmutual fund holdings. Large supplies of debt are available shortly after a firm defaults.
Mutual Funds
Hedge funds can also buy directly from mutual funds. This method benefits both parties involved. In a single transaction, hedge funds can acquire larger quantities—and mutual funds can sell larger quantities—without either having to worry about how such large transactionswill affect market prices. Both parties also avoid paying exchange-generated commissions.
Distressed Firms
The third option is perhaps the most interesting. This involves working directly with the company to extend credit on behalf of the fund. This credit can be in the form of bonds or even a revolving credit line. The distressed firm usually needs a lot of cash to turn things around. If more than one hedge fund extends credit, then none of the funds are overexposed to the default risk tied to one investment. This is why multiple hedge funds and investment banks usually undertake the endeavor together.
Hedge funds sometimes take on an active role with the distressed firm. Some funds thatown debt can provide advice to management, which may be inexperienced with bankruptcy situations. By having more control over their investment, the hedge funds involved can improve their chances of success. Hedge funds can also alter the terms of repayment for the debt to provide the company with more flexibility, freeing it up to correct other problems.
"Vulture funds" are hedge funds that specialize in only buying distressed debt, frequently "swooping in" to buy government debt from distressed countries.
Risks to Hedge Funds
So, what is the risk to the hedge funds involved? Owning the debt of a distressed company is more advantageous than owning its equity in case of bankruptcy. This is because debt takes precedence over equity in its claim on assets if the company is dissolved (this rule is called absolute priority or liquidation preference). This does not, however, guarantee financial reimbursem*nt.
Hedge funds limit losses by taking small positions relative to their overall size. Because distressed debt can offer such potentially highreturns, even relatively small investments can add hundreds of basis points to a fund's overall return on capital.
A simple example of this would be taking 1% of the hedge fund's capital and investing it in the distressed debt of a particular firm. If this distressed firm emerges from bankruptcy and the debt goes from 20 cents on the dollar to 80 cents on the dollar, the hedge fund will make a 300% return on its investment and a 3% return on its total capital.
The Individual Investor Perspective
The same attributes that attract hedge funds also attract individual investors to distressed debt. Whilean individual investor is hardly likely to take an active role in advising a company in the same way that a hedge fund might, there are nonetheless plenty of ways for a regular investor to invest in distressed debt.
The first hurdle is finding and identifying distressed debt. If the firm is bankrupt, the fact will be in thenews, company announcements, and other media. If the company has not yet declared bankruptcy, you can infer just how close it might be by using bond ratings such as Standard & Poor's or Moody's.
After identifying distressed debt, the individual will need to be able to purchase the debt. Using the bond market, as some hedge funds do, is one option. Another option is exchange-traded debt, which has smaller par valueslike $25 and $50 instead of the $1,000 par values that bonds are usually set at.
These smaller par value investments allow for smaller positions to be taken, making investments in distressed debt more accessible to individual investors.
Risks to the Individual Investor
The risks for individuals are considerably higher than those for hedge funds. Multiple investments in distressed debt likely represent a much higher percentage of an individual portfolio than of a hedge fund portfolio. This can be offset by exercising more discretion in choosing securities, such as taking on higher-rated distressed debt that may pose less default risk yet still provide potentially large returns.
A Note About Subprime Mortgage Debt
Many would assume that collateralized debt would not become distresseddue to the collateral backing it, but this assumption is incorrect. If the value of the collateral decreases and the debtor also goes into default, the bond's price will fall significantly. Fixed-income instruments, such as mortgage-backed securities during the U.S.subprime mortgage crisis, would be an excellentexample of this.
Is Distressed Debt a Good Investment?
Buying distressed debt is a classic risk vs. reward scenario. The potential for above-average returns is real, but the risk of losing the investment is also above average. Before investing in distressed debt, or investing in a security or a company that invests in distressed debt, it is best to consult a financial planning professional.
Do Hedge Funds Make Money in a Recession?
Hedge funds often outperform the market during recessions. Different types of hedge funds do better than others in a recession—for example, dedicated short bias funds are designed to make money during down markets by shorting various financial instruments. Other funds, like absolute return funds, may have recession success because they mix long and short positions to try to protect investors.
What Is the Difference Between Distressed and Stressed Debt?
Distressed debt is the debt from entities that are going through bankruptcy—or are on the brink of going through it. Stressed debt is the debt from entities with serious financial issues, but not serious enough that they are immediately near bankruptcy. The difference between the two types of debt is the depth of the trouble, distressed debt is in deeper trouble than stressed debt.
The Bottom Line
The world of distressed debt has its ups and downs, but hedge funds and sophisticated individual investors have much to gain by assuming the risk potential. By managing theserisks,both types of investors may earn great rewards by successfully weathering a firm's tough times.
