FAIRFIELD, Iowa, December 18, 2018 — Hedge Funds slid 0.28% in November according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge, now a division of Backstop Solutions, versus a 2.04% increase in the S&P 500 Total Return Index. Year to date, the Barclay Hedge Fund Index is down 2.42%, while the S&P has gained 5.11%.
“Global equity markets had mixed returns in November as European markets fell while the US and Asia rose,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.
“An 18.4 percent drop in the price of Apple along with declines in Facebook and Netflix—stocks that are widely held by hedge funds—created additional losses for technology funds.”
Overall, 14 of Barclay’s 17 hedge fund indices had losses in November, while three had gains.
Distressed Securities lost 2.04% in November, Equity Market Neutral gave up 1.63%, the Global Macro Index dropped 1.60%, Multi-Strategy was down 1.17%, and the Healthcare & Biotechnology Index lost 1.14%.
On the positive side, Emerging Markets gained 1.84%, the Merger Arbitrage Index was up 1.41%, and the Event Driven Index gained 0.72%.
“A decline in US interest rates coupled with a weakening of the US dollar was a net positive for emerging markets whose debt is dollar denominated,” says Waksman.
At the end of November, 10 hedge fund indices now have negative returns for the year, while seven still have gains.
Emerging Markets have lost 9.33%, Pacific Rim Equities are down 7.44%, the Global Macro Index has lost 4.48%, the Multi Strategy Index has given up 3.54%, and Equity Long Bias is down 3.20%.
Year to date, the Healthcare & Biotechnology Index has a 9.87% gain, Technology is up 6.63%, Distressed Securities have gained 4.34%, and Fixed Income Arbitrage is up 1.77%.
The Barclay Fund of Funds Index gave up 0.65% in November, and has a 3.02% loss for the year.
For a complete table of BarclayHedge Hedge Fund Index and Sub-Index numbers for November as well historical returns, click here.
About BarclayHedge
Sol Waksman is an experienced media source, providing perspectives on hedge fund and managed futures trends. For more commentary or background, call 641-472-3456 or email swaksman@barclayhedge.com.
BarclayHedge is the global leader in providing independent, research-based information services to the alternative investment industry. Founded in 1985, Barclay currently maintains data on more than 6,900 hedge funds, funds of funds, and CTAs. No one has been in the business of collecting alternative investment data longer than BarclayHedge.
Institutional investors, brokerage firms, and private banks worldwide utilize BarclayHedge indices as performance benchmarks for the hedge fund and managed futures industries.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sol Waksman
BarclayHedge, Ltd.
(641) 472-3456