Woodward Investments is a reputable alternative investment management firm that has delivered consistent strong performance for its clients. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, Woodward Investments manages assets across a range of alternative strategies including hedge funds, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and private debt. The firm takes a research-driven, risk-managed approach to investing and has built a diverse client base of institutions, pensions, family offices and high net worth individuals. Some key facts about Woodward Investments: The firm manages over $5 billion in client assets and has seen rapid growth since inception. Investment strategies span liquid hedge funds, less liquid private market funds and customized mandates. Woodward invests globally while maintaining local teams in the US, Europe and Asia. The investment team consists of over 60 experienced professionals with expertise across asset classes.
Strong Track Record of Generating Alpha
Woodward Investments has delivered strong risk-adjusted returns for its clients over the long term. Its flagship global long/short equity hedge fund has outperformed the MSCI World Index by over 500 basis points annualized since inception in 2010. The fund has generated this outperformance with lower volatility than the overall equity market. Woodward’s private equity funds have also significantly outperformed common benchmarks, demonstrating the firm’s ability to source and create value in privately-held companies across sectors and geographies. Overall, the firm has successfully generated alpha – returns above broad market indexes – for its investors across market cycles.
Disciplined Investment Philosophy and Risk Management
Woodward Investments adheres to a disciplined investment philosophy rooted in fundamental analysis,bottom-up security selection and comprehensive risk management. The firm conducts rigorous due diligence on each investment to understand downside risks and upside potential. Woodward constructs diversified portfolios not over-exposed to any single factor, region or sector. The firm also uses tailored hedging strategies to actively manage risk. This disciplined approach has allowed Woodward to limit drawdowns during times of market stress while still capturing upside. The firm’s long/short equity fund saw significantly less losses than equity indexes during the COVID-induced bear market of early 2020 due to effective hedging.
Strong Client Focus and Transparency
Woodward Investments places a strong emphasis on aligning with client interests and providing transparency. The firm works closely with clients to understand their investment objectives, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. Client portfolios are then customized based on these parameters. Woodward provides detailed and timely reporting to clients on portfolio positioning, performance attribution, risk profiles and market views. The firm’s client retention rate remains over 95%, indicative of its client focus.
Experienced Investment Team
Woodward Investments boasts an experienced global investment team with expertise across asset classes, geographies and market environments. The team is led by Chief Investment Officer John Woodward, who founded the firm in 2010. Woodward and senior portfolio managers average over 20 years of investment experience at top institutions. The broader team comprises over 60 investment professionals located globally who contribute bottom-up research and asset class insights. This level of talent and global connectivity allows Woodward to identify investment opportunities worldwide.
In summary, Woodward Investments is a strong alternative investment manager with a track record of generating alpha for clients, a disciplined investment approach, robust risk management, and an experienced investment team. The firm represents a compelling choice as an alternatives manager for institutional and sophisticated investors.