How to Use Public and Private Funds Together

In the field of financial investment, funds have always been highly regarded. Although some people are concerned about the possibility of being "chopped off", one way to protect their property is to continuously improve their investment knowledge. Improving one's cognitive level means pursuing information symmetry and rational thinking to ensure that one's investment decisions are more wise. In this article, we will explore the thinking framework of fund investment and introduce how public and private funds can be used together.

Understand different types of funds.

A fund is an investment method that gathers funds from different investors and is managed by professional fund managers. Funds can be divided into two categories: public funds and private funds.

Public fund: A public fund is a fund that publicly raises funds from the public and can be purchased by anyone. This type of fund is regulated and has relatively low risk, making it suitable for general investors.

Private equity funds: Private equity funds typically target wealthy investors who typically have higher risk tolerances and investment thresholds. These funds are generally not subject to strict regulation and allow fund managers to adopt higher-risk strategies, such as options, futures, leveraged trading, etc.

Understand different types of public funds.

Among public funds, the most common are mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Mutual funds: Mutual funds are managed by professional fund managers who track different investment strategies, such as stocks, bonds, etc. They are usually suitable for long-term investments but require the payment of management fees and other expenses.

ETF: An ETF is a fund that can be traded on an exchange and typically tracks the performance of a specific index. ETFs typically have lower fees as they are passive investment vehicles and do not require high fund manager fees.

Understand the different types of private equity funds.

1. Hedge Funds

   Hedge funds are one of the most well-known private equity funds that use various strategies to seek returns. The goal of hedge funds is to achieve positive returns regardless of market fluctuations. They can adopt various strategies, such as market neutrality, arbitrage, event-driven, and macro-investment strategies.

   
   

2. Private Equity Funds

   Private equity funds invest in non-listed companies and typically acquire equity holdings through equity investments or private equity transactions. These funds aim to provide long-term capital appreciation and typically require long-term investments to achieve returns.

   
   

3. Venture capital funds

   Venture capital funds focus on investing in startups and emerging enterprises. They provide funding and support to help these companies expand their businesses and grow stronger. The goal of venture capital funds is to achieve high returns by investing in future successful companies.

   
   

4. Real Estate Funds

   These funds invest in the real estate market, including commercial real estate, residential real estate, and industrial real estate. They can obtain rent and capital appreciation by purchasing and managing real estate.

   
   

5. Commodity Funds

   Commodity private equity funds invest in commodity markets such as gold, Crude Oil, soybeans, etc. These funds aim to profit from fluctuations in commodity prices.

   
   

6. Debt Funds

   Debt funds invest in various debt instruments, such as bonds, loans, and debt Securities. They can seek to achieve returns from the interest and principal returns of debt instruments.

   
   

7. Multi-Strategic Funds

   These funds adopt diversified investment strategies, which can include hedging, market neutrality, macro, and event-driven strategies. The goal of a multi-strategy fund is to reduce risk through diversification and achieve balanced returns.

   
   

8. Targeted Funds

   Targeted acquisition funds focus on investing in financially distressed companies or assets, typically achieving appreciation through restructuring, divestment, and sales.

These are some common types of private equity funds, each with its own characteristics and risks.

How to choose a suitable fund

When choosing a fund, there are two main factors to consider: fees and the management method of the fund.

Cost: Cost is an important factor to consider when investing in a fund. Mutual funds typically involve various fees, such as management fees, custody fees, and redemption fees, and the overall cost is relatively high. In contrast, ETFs typically have lower fees, with management fees around 0.03%. Therefore, from a cost perspective, ETFs are usually more cost-effective.

Fund management method: In a mutual fund, the fund manager actively manages the investment portfolio and selects stocks and bonds. ETFs typically passively track specific indices without the need for active decision-making by fund managers. This means that ETFs are more suitable for long-term investors than for frequent traders. The management methods of private equity funds are usually divided into two categories, namely active management and passive management.

Public funds and private funds can be used together in investment portfolios to achieve different investment goals and risk management strategies. The following is an introduction to how public funds and private funds can be used together:

1. Risk diversification

   A common strategy is to use public funds to diversify risks. You can choose different types of public funds, such as stock funds, bond funds, and money market funds, to create a diversified investment portfolio. Then, private equity funds are used to further diversify risks, as they typically offer a wider range of investment strategies and asset classes.

   
   

2. Long-term and short-term investments

   You can use public funds for long-term investments to achieve capital appreciation and long-term financial growth. Meanwhile, private equity funds can be used for short-term investments or more flexible strategies to pursue faster returns or manage risks during market fluctuations.

   
   

3. Professional management

   Private equity funds are usually managed by experienced fund managers or teams who can adopt more complex strategies, such as hedge funds, private equity funds, etc. You can leverage the professional management of private equity funds to achieve higher return potential.

   
   

4. Tax strategy

   In some cases, private equity funds may provide more favorable tax strategies, especially in terms of long-term capital gains. You can use private equity funds to optimize your tax planning.

   
   

5. Risk Management

   Private equity funds typically have more risk control tools, such as hedging and leverage, that can help you manage market risk. Private equity funds can provide additional protection when market uncertainty increases.

Private equity funds typically require higher investment thresholds and poor liquidity, so caution should be taken when using private equity funds. Before formulating any investment strategy, it is recommended to consult with financial advisors or professional investors to ensure that your investment goals and risk tolerance are fully considered.

Fund investment is an effective investment method, but choosing a suitable fund for oneself is crucial. Understanding the management methods of fees and funds, as well as how public and private funds can be used together, is key to making informed decisions. No matter which fund you choose, you need to consider your investment goals and risk tolerance to ensure that your financial future is protected.

Disclaimer: This material is for general information purposes only and is not intended as (and should not be considered to be) financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by EBC or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.