Alternative investments

This one is not written up yet

The definition above is the short version. A full explanation — how it works, a worked example and the exam traps — is still being written. In the meantime the chapter below covers it in context.

Written up from the same chapter

• Alternative Investment FundA privately pooled investment vehicle registered with SEBI that raises money from select Indian or foreign investors under a defined investment policy — never from the public at large.
• Fund of fundsAn AIF that invests in the units of other AIFs rather than directly in investee companies — buying diversification across managers and strategies, and paying two layers of fees for it.
• Infrastructure FundA Category I AIF investing primarily in the unlisted securities, partnership interest or listed and securitised debt of companies and SPVs that operate, develop or hold infrastructure projects.
• Mezzanine CapitalCapital provided in a hybrid structure carrying features of both debt and equity — typically subordinated debt with an equity upside attached, such as warrants.
• Mutual fundA trust registered with SEBI that pools money from many investors and invests it in securities on their behalf — not a different product from shares and bonds, but a different way of owning them.
• Portfolio managerA body corporate registered with SEBI that, under a contract with a client, advises on or manages that client's securities or funds — discretionary, non-discretionary or advisory.