Hedge Funds & Liquid Alternatives

Alternative Investments often engage in leverage and other investment practices that are extremely speculative and involve a high degree of risk. Such practices may increase the volatility of performance and the risk of investment loss, including the loss of the entire amount that is invested. There may be conflicts of interest relating to the Alternative Investment and its service providers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. Similarly, interests in an Alternative Investment are highly illiquid and generally are not transferable without the consent of the sponsor, and applicable securities and tax laws will limit transfers.

Buy-write strategies are subject to market risk, which means that the value of the securities in which it invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular sectors and/or general economic conditions. They are also subject to the risks associated with writing (selling) call options, which limits the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of stocks in exchange for up-front cash at the time of selling the call option. In a rising market, the strategy could significantly underperform the market, and the options strategies may not fully protect it against declines in the value of the market.

Because the strategy has exposure to the commodities markets, it may subject the strategy to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. Investments in commodities may be affected by changes in overall market movements, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity. Commodities are also subject to social, political, military, regulatory, economic, environmental or natural disaster risks.

The risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations may cause the value of securities denominated in such foreign currency to decline in value. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. These risks may be more pronounced for investments in securities of issuers located in, or otherwise economically tied to, emerging countries. If applicable, investment techniques used to attempt to reduce the risk of currency movements (hedging), may not be effective. Hedging also involves additional risks associated with derivatives.

The strategy’s use of derivatives (including options, forwards, swaps, options on swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments) may result in losses. These instruments, which may pose risks in addition to and greater than those associated with investing directly in securities, currencies or other instruments, may be less liquid, volatile, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes in the value of the underlying instruments may produce disproportionate losses.

High-yield, lower-rated securities involve greater price volatility and present greater credit risks than higher-rated fixed income securities.

Investing in high-yield securities can be complex and involves a variety of risks and benefits. Non-investment grade fixed income securities and unrated securities of comparable credit quality (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are considered speculative and are subject to the increased risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific issuer developments, interest rate sensitivity, negative perceptions of the junk bond markets generally and less liquidity.

Options may be used for investing or hedging purposes, but also entail risks related to liquidity, market conditions and credit that may increase volatility. The value of a strategy’s positions in options may fluctuate in response to changes in the value of the underlying asset. Selling call options may limit returns in a rising market. Options are not suitable for all investors. There may be additional risks that are not currently foreseen or considered.

Different “factor” investment styles (e.g., “momentum”, “value” or “low volatility”) tend to shift in and out of favor depending upon market and economic conditions as well as investor sentiment. There is no guarantee that the use of these quantitative models will result in outperformance of an investment relative to the market or relevant benchmark. The value of investments and the income derived from investments will fluctuate (can go down as well as up), and a loss of principal may occur.

Emerging markets investments may be less liquid and are subject to greater risk than developed market investments as a result of, but not limited to, the following: inadequate regulations, volatile securities markets, adverse exchange rates, and social, political, military, regulatory, economic or environmental developments, or natural disasters.

Equity investments are subject to market risk, which means that the value of the securities in which it invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular sectors and/or general economic conditions. Different investment styles (e.g., “growth” and “value”) tend to shift in and out of favor, and, at times, the strategy may underperform other strategies that invest in similar asset classes. The market capitalization of a company may also involve greater risks (e.g. "small" or "mid" cap companies) than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements, in addition to lower liquidity.

International securities may be more volatile and less liquid and are subject to the risks of adverse economic or political developments. International securities are subject to greater risk of loss as a result of, but not limited to, the following: inadequate regulations, volatile securities markets, adverse exchange rates, and social, political, military, regulatory, economic or environmental developments, or natural disasters.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management leverages the resources of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC subject to legal, internal and regulatory restrictions.

THIS MATERIAL DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT WOULD BE UNAUTHORIZED OR UNLAWFUL TO DO SO.

Prospective investors should inform themselves as to any applicable legal requirements and taxation and exchange control regulations in the countries of their citizenship, residence or domicile which might be relevant.

This material is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities. This material is not intended to be used as a general guide to investing, or as a source of any specific investment recommendations, and makes no implied or express recommendations concerning the manner in which any client’s account should or would be handled, as appropriate investment strategies depend upon the client’s investment objectives.

Past performance does not guarantee future results, which may vary. The value of investments and the income derived from investments will fluctuate and can go down as well as up. A loss of principal may occur. 

The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk, but does not imply low risk.

Capital is at risk.

Hedge funds and other private investment funds (collectively, “Alternative Investments”) are subject to less regulation than other types of pooled investment vehicles such as mutual funds.  Alternative Investments may impose significant fees, including incentive fees that are based upon a percentage of the realized and unrealized gains and an individual’s net returns may differ significantly from actual returns.  Such fees may offset all or a significant portion of such Alternative Investment’s trading profits. Alternative Investments are not required to provide periodic pricing or valuation information.  Investors may have limited rights with respect to their investments, including limited voting rights and participation in the management of such Alternative Investments.

Alternative Investments often engage in leverage and other investment practices that are extremely speculative and involve a high degree of risk. Such practices may increase the volatility of performance and the risk of investment loss, including the loss of the entire amount that is invested. There may be conflicts of interest relating to the Alternative Investment and its service providers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates.  Similarly, interests in an Alternative Investment are highly illiquid and generally are not transferable without the consent of the sponsor, and applicable securities and tax laws will limit transfers.

Conflicts of Interest
There may be conflicts of interest relating to the Alternative Investment and its service providers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. These activities and interests include potential multiple advisory, transactional and other interests in securities and instruments that may be purchased or sold by the Alternative Investment.  These are considerations of which investors should be aware and additional information relating to these conflicts is set forth in the offering materials for the Alternative Investment.

This material represents the views of the Investment Strategy Group (“ISG”) in the Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs. It is not a product of Goldman Sachs Asset Management nor financial research or a product of Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research (GIR). It was not prepared in compliance with applicable provisions of law designed to promote the independence of financial analysis and is not subject to a prohibition on trading following the distribution of financial research. The views and opinions expressed herein may vary significantly from those expressed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management or any other groups at Goldman Sachs. Investors are urged to consult with their financial advisers before buying or selling any securities. The information contained herein should not be relied upon in making an investment decision or be construed as investment advice. Goldman Sachs Asset Management has no obligation to provide any updates or changes.

Any reference to a specific company or security does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or directly invest in the company or its securities. Any allocation advice and/or recommendations included in this document are prepared by the ISG team. Allocation advice and recommendations are independent from any Goldman Sachs Asset Management products and services.”

Views and opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation by Goldman Sachs Asset Management to buy, sell, or hold any security. Views and opinions are current as of the date of this material and may be subject to change, they should not be construed as investment advice.

Entities Providing Services. This presentation is intended only to facilitate your discussions with the applicable Goldman Sachs entity including, but not limited to, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Goldman Sachs International, Goldman Sachs AG, Goldman Sachs Paris Inc. Et Cie., Goldman Sachs Saudi Arabia, Goldman Sachs Bank AG, Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C, Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte (Company Number: 19862165W), Goldman Sachs Futures Pte. Ltd (Company Number: 199004153Z); Goldman Sachs Australia Pty Limited. In connection with its distribution in the United Kingdom, this material has been issued and approved by Goldman Sachs International which is authorized by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. This material has been approved for issue in the United Kingdom solely for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by GSI, Plumtree Court, 25 Shoe Lane, London EC4A 4AU; by Goldman Sachs Canada, in connection with its distribution in Canada; in the United States by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC; in Hong Kong by Goldman Sachs Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited or Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C., in Korea by Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C., Seoul Branch; in Japan by Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd; in Australia by Goldman Sachs Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 006 797 897); and in Singapore by Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte. (Company Number: 19862165W).