Hedgerahastoilla tuottoisa alkuvuosi
Maailman johtavan vaihtoehtoisijoitusyhtiön Man Investmentsin markkinadataa analysoivan kuukausikatsauksen mukaan hedgerahastot ottivat osansa helmikuussa nähdystä markkinoiden vilkastumisesta. Trendi on ollut vuoden alusta asti nousussa.
Hedgerahastoja seuraava HFRI Fund of Funds Composite -indeksi nousi helmikuussa 2,2 prosenttia. Vuoden alusta helmikuun loppuun nousua on 5,0 prosenttia. Erityisen vahva alkuvuosi on ollut equity hedged -strategioilla.
“Hedgerahastoilla on ollut hyvä alkuvuosi ja ne ovat olleet osa piristynyttä markkinaa laadukkaan arvopaperivalikoiman ja avainraaka-aineisiin sijoittamisen ansiosta. Markkinoiden riskinottohalukkuus säilyy kuitenkin maltillisena, ja näin tulee varmasti olemaan, kunnes jokin makrotason tai polittiinen tapahtuma laukaisee muutoksen markkinoilla” sanoo Man Investmentsin hedgerahastojen tutkimuksesta vastaava johtaja Michelle McCloskey.
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Hedge funds make gains in February rally – Man research
20 March 2012 (London) - Hedge funds made money in February’s broad market rally and in the absence of significant macro events, according to Man’s monthly Hedge Fund Overview research which analyses the industry using several data sources. The HFRI Fund of Funds Composite was up 2.2% for the month and up 5.0% since the start of 2012 to end of February.
Equity-hedged managers led as the decline in stock-specific correlations helped stock-pickers generate alpha. Managed futures managers with a long-term trend following bias also thrived, with high exposure to equities and energies helping performance. Upward moves in these asset classes also supported the global macro style, while relative value and event-driven managers also posted gains thanks to a rally in credit markets.
The market environment was supportive and improved sentiment helped global equities to post gains. The MSCI World Index gained 4.7% over the month. Commodities prices generally pushed higher, with the S&P GSCI Index gaining 6.1% thanks to strong rise in Brent of 10.5%. However, bond yields fell as investors swapped safe-haven assets for more risky assets.
Michelle McCloskey, Man’s head of hedge fund research, said, “Hedge funds have made a good start to the year and participated in the broader market rally through high quality security selection and exposure to key commodities markets. Risk appetite remains subdued, however, and we see this positioning continuing until a macro or political event triggers a change in the market environment.”
Equity Hedged
The HFRI Equity Hedge Index gained 3% in February, thanks largely to a global equity rally. This took gains to 6.9% for the first two months of 2012. Investors were encouraged by a drop in equity market volatility, indicated by the CBOE VIX Index falling -5.2%, but notable performance dispersion remained among managers watched by Man, with returns ranging from 5.5% to -6.5%. Cyclical and growth-sensitive sectors such as IT (7.0%), Consumer Discretionary (6.0%), and Financials (6.0%) outperformed, according to MSCI/Bloomberg data.
Managed futures and global macro
Managed futures managers experienced another positive month in February, with the HFRI Systematic Diversified Index up 1.0%. Long-term trend followers generally fared better than short-term traders as manager performance ranged from 7.8% to -3.0%. Those with high allocations to equities and long bias to commodities – especially energies – were rewarded, while long bond positions hurt managers slightly.
The global macro style also performed well with the HFRI Macro Index gaining 1.0% in February. A risk-on environment and improved liquidity benefitted emerging markets-focused managers. Receding fears of a Greek debt default also helped confidence, while geo-political risks in the Middle East supported energy markets price gains.
Relative value and event driven
Relative value managers continued their good run of form in February, with the HFRI Relative Value Index gaining 1.8% on tightening credit spreads, buoyant equities and improved liquidity. Fixed income arbitrageurs traded around central bank policy easing, while convertibles arbitrageurs reported a pickup in outright buying causing the Barclays Capital Global Convertibles Index to rise 2.5%.
Event driven managers also enjoyed a strong month as the HFRI Event Driven Index gained 1.9%. Positive performance was seen in all sub-strategies. In particular, distressed managers benefitted from robust credit markets, and merger arbitrageurs’ performance was lifted by tightening corporate M&A spreads.
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About Man
Man is a world-leading alternative investment management business. It has expertise in a wide range of liquid investment styles including managed futures, equity, credit and convertibles, emerging markets, global macro and multi-manager, combined with powerful product structuring, distribution and client service capabilities. As at 31 December 2011, Man managed $58.4 billion.
The original business was founded in 1783. Today, Man is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100 Index with a market capitalisation of around £2.6 billion.
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