Tarzana, Calif.-based Martin Asset Management, an alternative investment management boutique, has launched exchange-traded fund strategies that it says replicate hedge fund returns without the risks, fees, lockups and non-transparent holdings.

“Our approach allows investors to obtain the very same benefits as they would with a hedge fund without the limitations usually associated with hedge funds,” said Francisco Martin, founder. “Our philosophy is simple: We don't charge any management fees but participate with a 10% performance fee and a high-water mark. The transparency of a separate managed account and the elimination of all hedge fund imposed barriers make our approach much more attractive to the investor.”

Earlier this year, the firm launched the Ilios Alternative Energy Fund, a long-biased vehicle, that invests in a range of public companies involved in wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and biomass energy, and hedges certain exposures using inversely correlated ETFs.