Hedge funds

There has been much discussion over the recent weeks on the outflows suffered by the hedge fund industry. Several data providers estimated the decline in global hedge fund capital in the first quarter of 2016 at about USD 15bn.

These fees are far from being insignificant for investor returns. According to Duncan Wilkinson, CEO of Alpha Simplex, more and more hedge fund managers, especially in the United States, have decided to offer products without any performance fees; a trend that should gradually take place in Europe...

JPY and Japanese equities were the outcast of the rally, in diffidence of Abenomics’ and BoJ’s chances of success. They bear a risk of a reversal ahead of the coming BoJ meetings (April 28 & June 16) and the July Upper House election.

The Lyxor Hedge Fund Index was up +0.3% in March. 9 out of 11 Lyxor Indices ended the month in positive territory. The Lyxor LS Equity Long Bias Index (+2.3%), the Lyxor Fixed Income Arbitrage Index (+2.1%), and the Lyxor Special Situations Index (+1.4%) were the best performers.

According to Anthony Lawler, portfolio manager at GAM noted, the volatility year-to-date has proved challenging for active managers who were generally hurt in January and February before recovering with some gains in March. Many had trimmed exposures in January and early February before the rebound and were unable to benefit in size from the subsequent rally...