Distressed securities


Distressed securities

A security of a firm that has declared or is about to declare bankruptcy. In the context of hedge funds, a style of management that focuses on securities of companies that have declared bankruptcy and may be undergoing reorganization. Investment holdings can include bonds as well as stock in these firms.

Distressed Security

A security in an unprofitable company, or in a company believed to be unprofitable. This is considered to be a high-risk security with the potential for high return because financial distress often precedes corporate restructuring. This may make the company profitable very rapidly. On the other hand, the potential for default is very high.