Credit Suisse has launched the first of planned series of indexes designed to replicate hedge fund strategies.

The Credit Suisse Long/Short Equity Replication Index aims to capture the risk/return characteristics represented by the Credit Suisse/Tremont Long/Short Equity Hedge Fund Index. “The Long/Short Equity Replication Index allows our clients to participate in the performance of this rapidly growing market segment,” commented Walter Rotondo, head of Fund Linked Products.

“Long/short equity is typically the largest allocation and dominant return source in hedge fund portfolios, and investors today are growing increasingly concerned about the correlation of their hedge fund investments to the broad equity markets. This index allows them to gain systematic exposure and enhanced liquidity through a direct investment, or to tactically adjust their portfolios through a short position,” said Oliver Schupp, head of Beta Strategies.