All signs indicate that what began as a niche category catering mainly to high-net worth individuals and U.S. endowments and foundations has become a permanent fixture within a broader set of institutional portfolios. Satisfied customers go a long way towards explaining the industry's proliferation. Our study reveals hedge funds are meeting institutional investors' expectations with an astounding 100 percent satisfaction rate in achieving portfolio diversification as well as high marks for lowering portfolio volatility and increasing absolute return.