During the last decade, hedge funds have become one of the most important institutional investors in global financial markets. Although their activities have been viewed critically by regulators, politicians, and the public, this negative perspective is often based more on myth than on thorough economic analysis and empirical facts. Most people lack the necessary information and understanding of the role that hedge funds play in financial markets. Blaming them for the financial crisis or other market turbulences is often based on specific conjectures and not on rigorous research. Interestingly, most of the regulations proposed by German politicians, restricting hedge fund activities have not yet been implemented due.
