Difference between Alpha Beta Separation and Portable Alpha Strategy

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a_thinking_ape

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Can anyone answer this question?
What’s the difference between a normal Alpha Beta Separation and a Portable Alpha Strategy?
 
I thought they were the same, but it this were asked on the exam, here is the bull-$#!% I’d write:
Alpha Beta separation applies at the micro level. For example a market neutral fund could add beta exposure with index futures.
Portable alpha is a strategy employed at the macro level. For example a DB pension plan sponsor might hire a long short manager to generate alpha of 350 bps and combine this with a passive strategy that tracks some index.
 
From memory,
A-B separation is a long/short strategy and a long index future on the same index. Rational being you can spit the job between cheap for the basic and expensive for the more advanced investment expertise.
Portable alpha is very similar, only your long/short strategy is in the Timbuctoo equity index, and your beta investment comes a little closer to home
 
By definition: Portable alpha - alpha available to be added to a variety of systematic risk exposures.
Long only investors have exposure to both beta (makret return) and alpha (mgr skill)
Alpha beta separation - investor gains an exposure to beta (zero alpha) thru a low cost index fund, and add an alpha thru a long short market neutral portolio (assuming zero beta although but not necessary). Alternatively the investor may just want to employ a market neutral long short manager to generate the alpha which is an example of portable alpha i.e. alpha available to be added to a variety of systematic risk exposures.
 
allépourpêcher Wrote:
——————————————————-
> From memory,
>
> A-B separation is a long/short strategy and a long
> index future on the same index. Rational being you
> can spit the job between cheap for the basic and
> expensive for the more advanced investment
> expertise.
>
> Portable alpha is very similar, only your
> long/short strategy is in the Timbuctoo equity
> index, and your beta investment comes a little
> closer to home
To conclude, is it correct to say:
A)
Alpha Beta Separation derives its alpha and beta from the same source?
Portable Alpha derives its alpha and beta from different sources?
B)
Alpha Beta Separation involves a L/S position and a L position?
Portable Alpha involves a L position and a L position OR a L/S position and a L position? (WHICH?)
 
Isn’t “Portable Alpha Strategy” simply an Alpha part of “Alpha Beta Separation Strategy”?
 
Well the long short market neutral portfolio may not be portable but yes…both is still an alpha beta separation strategy.
 
If this question appears in the PM paper I can now give it a crack, thanks guys.
Conclusion:
Alpha/Beta Seperation: Generate passive beta through cheap index fund and an alpha through a long/short strategy within the same index.
Portable Alpha: Alpha is generated (probably by a specialist manager) in a different index.
 
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