What are hedge funds classified under the event-driven category?

Hedge funds that fall under the event-driven category are primarily focused on exploiting specific events that can impact the prices of securities. Merger arbitrage is a classic strategy within this classification. It involves taking advantage of the price discrepancies that arise before or after corporate events, such as mergers and acquisitions.

In a typical merger arbitrage scenario, an investor will buy shares of the target company and may short the shares of the acquiring company, betting that the merger will occur and that the target’s stock price will rise to the acquisition price once the deal is finalized. This strategy capitalizes on the volatility and uncertainty surrounding such corporate actions, making it a quintessential example of event-driven investing.

This classification relies heavily on the analysis of corporate events and their potential impact on market prices, distinguishing it from other strategies that may focus on broader market movements or long-term holdings. Understanding the nature of corporate events and their implications on stock valuations is critical for successful execution of the merger arbitrage strategy.