vulture fund

Vulture Fund

A fund that buys securities in distressed investments, such as high-yield bonds in or near default, or equities that are in or near bankruptcy.

Notes:

Even highly leveraged firms may be targeted if there is a chance that the owners will not be able to make all required debt payments. As the name implies, these funds are like circling vultures patiently waiting to pick over the remains of a rapidly weakening company. The goal is high returns at bargain prices. Some people have looked down upon hedge funds that operate like vulture funds, which have preyed on the cheap debt of struggling companies and forced these companies to pay it back, plus interest.

See also: Bankruptcy, Default, Hedge Fund, Interest, Junk Bond, Leverage

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vulture fund

A pool of investment money used to purchase distressed financial assets or real estate at bargain prices. Vulture funds are relatively risky but offer large potential profits. The performance of a vulture fund is dependent upon the skill of the fund's managers in identifying and purchasing undervalued assets that can be turned into profitable investments.