After ending 2010 with excellent results, the hedge fund industry slowed down in January and delivered a flat to slightly positive performance. The Eurekahedge Hedge Fund Index advanced 0.06%1 in January – a month marked with mixed returns among underlying strategies. The MSCI World Index was up 1.87%2 during the month.
Total assets under management reached US$1.68 trillion as investors continued the strong allocation activity from the last quarter of 2010. Performance-based growth was negative during the month, with the industry losing US$2.13 billion, primarily because gains in the sector were offset by negative returns by a few large macro hedge funds. Asset flows were positive for the seventh consecutive month as resurgent market sentiment led investors to allocate net capital to the tune of US$3.39 billion. Although January is usually a slow month for asset flows, the excellent returns posted by hedge funds in the last quarter of 2010, as well as improving macro-economic fundamentals, have led to strong interest among investors to allocate to hedge funds.
