Eric Becker

Eric Becker is a Portfolio Manager at Water Island Capital LLC, based in Caldwell, NJ, and has held this role since 2019. He is primarily responsible for managing the firm's flagship event-driven and merger arbitrage strategies, including serving as co-portfolio manager of the AltShares Merger Arbitrage ETF (ARB). In this capacity, he oversees portfolio construction, risk management, and the identification and evaluation of merger and acquisition (M&A) deal opportunities within global equity markets.

Becker’s expertise is deeply rooted in event-driven investing, focusing on sectors affected by corporate actions such as mergers, takeovers, and special situations, with a particular emphasis on the merger arbitrage asset class. He has played a key role in developing a robust, systematic approach for analyzing M&A spreads and capitalizing on market dislocations, further enhancing Water Island’s offerings for institutional and retail clients.

Eric Becker holds an undergraduate degree from Bucknell University and an MBA from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management. Recognized for his contributions to expanding alternative investment vehicles—including the launch and management of the AltShares Merger Arbitrage ETF—he is regarded as an innovative portfolio manager committed to delivering uncorrelated returns and advancing the practice of merger arbitrage investing.